Take a chance with GC’s search for leading star in ‘Mamma Mia!’

The search to find the leading lady who will play ‘Sophie Sheridan’ in the smash-hit musical, ‘Mamma Mia!’ is still going ahead.

Renowned Australian production company, Matt Ward Entertainment, in conjunction with 102.9 Hot Tomato are looking for a local Gold Coast talent to play the lead role.

While the season has been postponed due to fears of a COVID-19 outbreak and will play at the Star Gold Coast later this year, for one lucky local this could be the role of a lifetime. Producer Matt Ward expressed his excitement over the opportunity to find Australia’s next big star.

“The search is on to find our leading lady and we couldn’t be more excited to provide this amazing opportunity to a local Gold Coast talent with our friends at Hot Tomato,” Ward said.

“As the ABBA song goes, ‘take a chance on me’, and that’s exactly what we plan to do. We’re putting the call out to the community to offer the opportunity of a lifetime and find our Sophie to perform alongside the incredible calibre of cast and creative team of MAMMA MIA! later this year.”

‘Mamma Mia’ tells the story of Sophie, a young bride-to-be whose quest to discover the identity of her father draws three men from her mother’s, past back to a Greek Island on the eve of her wedding. The much-loved musical is set to a toe-tapping backdrop of songs by Swedish pop group, ABBA.

Matt Ward Entertainment are seeking a female singer and performer between the age of 16 to 25, who is a Gold Coast local, to star in the homegrown production.

“If you’re a budding musical theatre star or singer who has the passion and dream to shine on the stage, then this is your opportunity as absolutely no professional experience is required,” Ward said.

To enter the competition and be in the running for the role of ‘Sophie Sheridan’, either listen to Hot Tomato or submit a video via the MyGC website (www.mygc.com.au). In your submission, include two videos – one performing a cover of an ABBA song and the other with a one-minute piece to camera introducing who you are and why you would love to be Sophie.

Applications will be narrowed down to a top ten and invited to attend a ‘Mamma Mia!’ Bootcamp, where the applicant will undergo intensive voice and dance training in front of a panel of four judges who will short-list five entrants. From there, it’s up to the people of the Gold Coast in a public vote to decide who is cast.

A national casting callout is also underway, with a total of 20 performers who will be selected and cast for the various ensemble roles for ‘Mamma Mia!’.

In regards to the season, Matt Ward Entertainment is currently in talks with the venue around new dates, which will bring the Broadway smash-hit to Gold Coast audiences later this year.

Applications opened on Friday, 13 March 2020.

To enter the competition, visit MyGC’s website. Alternatively, for more information on Matt Ward Entertainment or ‘Mamma Mia!’ the musical, head to the website.