By: Mikayla Ho, Staff Writer

On March 14, the day after the open house, it was announced that Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep would be making an opening announcement on the highly anticipated first night of Mills drama department’s own version of Mamma Mia!

These two renowned actresses’ special appearances were quite unexpected, but it took days of preparation to get them on stage. Unfortunately, due to the lack of broadcasting, Seyfried and Streep performed to a nonexistent audience. On March 31st during opening night, what people thought was last minute preparations and dress rehearsals turned out to be a legendary performance missed by all.

Filled with embarrassment and shame, Seyfried and Streep’s respective companies ceased all footage and media, erasing all traces of the two ever stepping foot on Mills ground. 

Although there may be no evidence of the two ever opening, the efforts from the Mills Drama Department cannot go unnoticed. Director and Professor Hudelson, who teaches the dramatic arts and English literature reacted to the announcement by saying,“It’s good to have their endorsements. I mean our performers are much more skilled than them, but, you know I really appreciate their shoutout for what they’re doing.” 

Hudelson, who is just an Emmy away from an EGOT credits this as to why Streep and Seyfried asked to perform at Mills. “Well, since they’re not really successful or working, I think they just found us in The Daily Journal. We’ve been advertising there, and they just wanted to, like, bother us,” says Hudelson.

Naia Germain (11) who plays the leading character Sophie says,“I sent them both letters around three months ago inviting them to the show, and I didn’t think they’d come. I guess once they found out about Mr. Hudelson’s Tony award they decided to make the trip!”

The leads of Mamma Mia! and Hudelson formed a “first name basis” relationship with Streep and Seyfried during the week leading up to the show. Playing the titular role as Sophie, Germain remarked “Mr. Hudelson set up a time for Amanda and me to get froyo together to discuss character choices.” 

Along with Germain, Brianna Kei (12) who plays Donna often visits Streep’s humble abode in Connecticut in between rehearsals. “Meryl is more on the chill side and Amanda’s very, very outgoing, very bubbly. Just like their characters in Mamma Mia!” shares Kei.

Speaking of abodes, Hudelson revealed the actor’s personal information would be provided, stating, “Anything is available, I’ll be sure to put it in the program, including addresses and ways that you can send them things you know, even like dead mice.”

Despite the positives, there will always be some negatives. All three collectively agreed there has been a foul stench lingering around them. “I think that just after she did the movie, she never showered. Smells like, you know, Greece,” says Hudelson. Kei believes that they smell depending on the day.

“It’s like a method acting thing they’re doing to prepare for Mamma Mia! 3,” adds Germain.

Backstage drama is no exception. “They’ve been spending so much time in the stables that I sometimes hear them bleating backstage,” states Germain. 

“I told Meryl that I thought her performance in Into the Woods was terrible. If she needs any help with vocals and acting, I’m more than happy to help her,” Hudelson vocalized. 

Besides the behind-the-scenes drama, onstage Streep and Seyfried still performed some great hits. “Amanda promised to bring her dulcimer on opening night and sing ‘California’ like she did on Jimmy Fallon,” says Germain.

“They’re going to sing a song. They told me it was either going to be ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ or ‘Winner Takes it All’,” commented Kei.

Either way, although these performances were missed by many, Mamma Mia! was an overall hit . Maybe it was a good thing the audience didn’t see their cameos. Hudelson admits, “I just hope it’s super quick because we don’t have enough time to fart around with them.”