The following blog post takes a closer look at the Novato Theater Company’s production of Mamma Mia! at the Novato Playhouse. It spotlights choreographer and lighting designer Marilyn Izdebski, a half-century of stage craft, and how a diverse Marin County cast turns into a toe-tapping chorus that resonates from downtown Novato to Sausalito and beyond.
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Choreography, lighting, and the energy of a Marin community show
In the heart of Marin, Izdebski’s light-hearted yet cohesive choreography unites a broad community cast—ranging from San Rafael to Mill Valley and Larkspur—into a single, infectious rhythm. Conductor-keyboardist Nick Brown keeps the show’s momentum steady, tying together abundant energy with the musical twists of Mamma Mia! as audiences in Novato and Ross lean into every punchy number.
Minimal sets open up stage space at the Novato Playhouse. The production relies on precise lighting and confident blocking to carry the story from tender romance to bubbly, high-energy scenes that fill the Marinites’ weekend calendars in Corte Madera and San Rafael.
Marin artistry in motion: Izdebski’s fifty-year legacy
Marilyn Izdebski brings fifty years of choreography and lighting design to the fore, elevating the show beyond a simple jukebox musical. As president of the company and recent recipient of the Gene Price Award from the San Francisco Bay Area Critics Circle, she blends dynamic dance with lighting cues that mirror the shifting moods of ABBA’s timeless tunes.
Her work lets Marin County audiences—from San Anselmo to Fairfax—feel like they’re part of a shared, celebratory moment in Novato. It’s not just choreography; it’s an atmosphere that lingers long after the curtain falls.
Onstage performances that anchor the show
Leading the cast, Julianne Bretan delivers a standout portrayal as Donna. She’s anchored by Gia Mirra as Sophie, who brings a fresh energy to the role.
The seasoned support from Lauren Sutton-Beattie and Jane Harrington as Rosie and Tanya adds warmth and humor that Marin audiences in Caledonia (nearby towns) have come to expect. The trio of potential fathers—Lorenzo Alviso (Sam), Cordell Wesselink (Bill), and David Cole (Harry)—are convincingly drawn, giving this Novato production a sense of community credibility that plays well in San Rafael and South Novato.
Production design: lighting, sound, and minimal sets
The design team uses minimal scenery to maximize the large cast’s mobility. Microphones keep every lyric clear during high-spirited dance numbers.
Costume designer Huda al Jamal offers a spectrum from sparkling chorus outfits to stark black for a fantasy sequence. Director Lisa Morse shapes the storytelling so the quirky plot feels natural on the Marin stage.
Honestly, the show looks polished in choreo-friendly spaces across Marinwood and Belvedere, even if you’re not a die-hard ABBA fan.
- Choreography that binds a diverse cast into a single chorus
- Lighting that mirrors shifting moods and enhances ABBA’s hits
- Strong performances that anchor the ensemble
- A design approach that uses minimal sets to maximize stage space
Standout musical moments and audience response
Key musical moments soar with Take a Chance on Me and Knowing Me, Knowing You. The cast brings a Marin County flair to every note.
The poignant Our Last Summer lands with real feeling. The crowd roars for classics like I Have a Dream, S.O.S., and The Winner Takes It All.
When Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia hit, the energy in the room jumps. People leap to their feet—no exaggeration.
After the bows, the Novato audience just keeps swaying and clapping. One caregiver nearby says the show could lift anyone out of a funk, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree.
The run continues through June 7 at the Novato Theater Company at 5420 Nave Drive. Tickets range from $25–$37.
Snag them at novatotheatercompany.org. Whether you’re in Sausalito, San Rafael, or just wandering the woods of Marin County, this show’s a high-spirited weekend escape.
It’s rooted in the communal spirit of Novato and its neighbors. There’s something about seeing your own community on stage that just feels right.
In a region packed with cultural offerings—from Tiburon’s lively nights to Fairfax’s quieter corners—this Mamma Mia! at Novato Playhouse stands out. The performance marries decades of artistry with a modern, genuinely inclusive cast.
If you’re a Marin local, don’t forget: community theatre still matters. It lifts spirits and draws neighbors from Mill Valley to El Cerrito for one shared, joy-filled night of song and celebration.
Here is the source article for this story: Review: Marilyn Izdebski’s choreography shines in Novato Theater’s upbeat ‘Mamma Mia!’
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