McMaster Mia! This year’s social sciences musical doesn’t just face the music, it dances along too

On Friday, April 5th, the McMaster community grabbed their tissues and very best boogie shoes to watch curtains go up on this year’s social sciences musical: a reimagining of Mama Mia, written, choregraphed and directed entirely by students.

“McMaster Mia! Here SocSci Goes Again” follows social sciences student Sadie in the days leading up to graduation. With dreams of pursuing law school in Greece, nothing can stop Sadie’s future…except her disapproving mother, Dina. But when Sadie discovers a hidden letter from Dina’s time at McMaster, she knows there’s more to her mother’s objections than she once thought.

Joined by her matchmaking roommates and an impromptu flash mob or two, Sadie embarks on a quest to help Dina accept these changes and move forward…even if it means revisiting old friends, foes and flames.

Heartfelt and hilarious, McMaster Mia blends stories of past and present to question what it means to not just face the music, but dance along too.

The Journey to Opening Night

This performance marks the faculty’s second show – just one year after debuting ‘SocSpray,’ a reimagining of the musical Hairspray.

Reflecting on the journey from last year’s production, director, writer and third student Emily Dhanjal said the faculty’s new theatrical tradition shows how necessary these creative spaces are for the school community.

“The arts can be such an important outlet for people. I saw McMaster Mia as an opportunity to build on last year’s foundation and contribute to something great that future students can participate in.”

Assistant director and fourth year student Alyssa Mulholland echoed this sentiment. An actor in last year’s show, the support she had as a cast member made her excited to jump back in.

“SocSpray was my first time participating in theatre since I was young and it inspired me to give others that supportive space too,” said Mulholland. “It’s such a loving community and I hope the audience feels how much love went into this show.”

When the idea was suggested to use Mamma Mia as their foundation, the production’s timeless themes and relatability made the decision an obvious choice.

“We wanted to reimagine a fan classic that our audience could relate to.” said writer Lilyanna Ferreira. “Whether it be students, parents or grandparents, almost everyone has had to endure the hardships of change, especially with school.”

Shining the Spotlight on Student Stories

Looking back on the writing process, writer Allie Suomela notes the importance of bringing authentic voices and student representations to such established source material.

“Mamma Mia has always been about family and identity. At its core, our show is about carrying those bittersweet lessons into whatever comes next. But it’s also a queer story, because I’m queer, and I believe in putting those stories front and center as deeply human, emotional journeys, not just as side plots.”

Reflecting on these important stories, themes and memorable moments, the show’s creatives and audience members agree that one scene in particular was an emotional showstopper.

Set to the tune of ABBA’s ‘Slipping Through My Fingers,’ the heartwarming moment shows the complexity of growth, family, and history as Dina accepts Sadie is no longer a child, but a young adult discovering her independence. Speaking to the scene, both cast and crew said it brought tears to their eyes and highlighted how special it was to depict this moment with their families and friends in the audience.

“Having my mom in the audience during that moment was really special.” Dhanjal remarked. “Because our big life transitions don’t only feel big to us, but also to our families.”

Stepping Beyond the Curtain Call

Looking to what audiences can expect in the future, directing duo Dhanjal and Mulholland are tight-lipped, but proud to hand over the show to a new group of student creatives in the 25/26 school year.

For now, they’re excited to celebrate the production’s success and reflect on how this experience brought the community closer during a time where many students prepare to take their next steps after graduation.

“Sometimes change is easy,” Dhanjal reflects. “Other times, it’s messy and sad and we try to run away from it…but, it’s ultimately an opportunity for growth. That’s one thing I hope audiences took away from our show, to embrace change.”

All proceeds from this production were collected for donation towards Positive Health Network, a not-for-profit charitable organization in the Hamilton region dedicated to HIV support and education.

The second annual social sciences musical was produced with support from the McMaster Social Sciences Society, Faculty of Social Sciences and Robinson Memorial Theatre. To learn more about the show and upcoming productions, information can be found on the musical’s Instagram here.