Local star search launches for lead role in Mamma Mia! on the Gold Coast

Mamma-Mia-Matt-Ward-photo-by-Celeste-HumphreyThe search is back on to discover the leading lady to play Sophie Sheridan in the smash-hit musical, MAMMA MIA!, which will play The Star Gold Coast from 19 June 2021.

One budding Gold Coast local will have the chance to kickstart their career in the lead role of this beloved musical, produced by renowned Australian production company, Matt Ward Entertainment. After the forced postponement of the much-anticipated production last year due to COVID, MAMMA MIA! is returning to the main stage with an even bigger and better version of the show.

In partnership with local radio station, 1029 Hot Tomato, Producer Matt Ward has recommenced the star search ready to find a local musical talent who could be Australia’s next big star. “The search is back 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,” he said.

“As the ABBA song goes, ‘take a chance on me’, and that’s exactly what we plan to do. We’re putting the callout to the community to offer the opportunity of a lifetime and find our Sophie to perform in MAMMA MIA! later this year,” said Mr Ward.

MAMMA MIA! tells the much-loved 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, set to the toe-tapping songs of ABBA.

Matt Ward said his team are looking for a female singer between the age of 16 to 25 who is a Gold Coast local to star in the production. “There’s so much homegrown talent based here on the Coast, so we’re looking for that budding musical theatre star or singer who has a passion and dream to shine on the stage,” he said.

“No professional experience is required, and applicants can enter by listening to Hot Tomato and submitting a video on the mygc.com.au website that shows them covering an ABBA song, as well as a one-minute piece to camera introducing who they are and why they would love to be Sophie,” said Mr Ward.

Applications will be narrowed down to a top ten and invited to attend a MAMMA MIA! Bootcamp over the weekend of 27 – 28 February. The top ten will undergo intensive voice and dance training in front of a panel of four judges who will then select the final five and put it to the people of the Gold Coast to vote.

Radio listeners and the community will then have the chance to choose the winner who will star in this timeless production and secure this highly sought-after contract.

A national casting callout is also underway for a total of 20 performers who will be selected and cast in the various ensemble roles for MAMMA MIA!

Playing for a three-week season at The Star Gold Coast from 19 June to 11 July 2021, this ultimate feel-good theatre experience will have audiences dancing in their seats to the classic ABBA hits.


Tickets are on sale now via www.thestargoldcoast.com.au or www.ticketek.com.au For more information on Matt Ward Entertainment or MAMMA MIA! The Musical, visit: www.mammamiamusical.com.au for details.

Image: Matt Ward (centre) will present Mamma Mia The Musical on the Gold Coast this June – photo by Celeste Humphrey