Brynn Sweere, who portrays Sophie in "Mamma Mia," rehearses a dance number with the cast. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- They’re a small performance group with big plans: The Staten Island-based Spotlight Repertory Theatre is staging their biggest show yet, coming next weekend to Snug Harbor Cultural Center’s Music Hall in Livingston.

With five performances scheduled, the theater company hopes to attract thousands -- with a little help from Abba’s greatest hits -- to view their rendition of Mamma Mia.

It’s an ambitious goal for a group that is largely focused on creating opportunities for Staten Island performers to take the stage.

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The cast of "Mamma Mia," takes direction from John Stewart in preparation for its upcoming performances at Snug Harbor next weekend. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

Spotlight aims “to provide employment for professional actors, artists, musicians and technicians,'' says co-founder Mary Lee Marson Aloia, and to cast local performers in “a year-round repertory of musicals and plays that inspire, challenge, surprise, and excite audiences of all ages."

Aloia and John Stewart, her Spotlight co-founder, are both actors with experience performing on tour and at regional theaters across the U.S.; Stewart is also an award-winning director and choreographer.

They launched the Repertory Theatre just last year, as an outgrowth of the Spotlight Youth Theatre Company, which the pair founded on Staten Island in 2010. This new initiative focuses on adult audiences.

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Amy Decker-Gibbs rehearses for "Mamma Mia," set for next weekend in the Music Hall of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

Although Aloia and Stewart know the Music Hall well – it has been the venue for a number of shows put on by their Youth Theatre Company – this is the first major run for the Repertory Theatre. Their early projects, in the latter half of 2018, were staged at smaller venues like Amendment 18 and The Alice Austen House.

With so many seats to fill for “Mamma Mia,” the Repertory Theatre has taken on a marketing firm, JMT Media, to help get the word out.

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From left, Amy Decker-Gibbs, who plays Donna, and Shelby Coffrey, who plays Rosie, learn a dance routine in preparation for the upcoming production of "Mamma Mia," at Snug Harbor next weekend. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

"Our hearts and roots are in small professional live theater,” says Stewart. “Our dream is to create professional theater for the family audience. Using our network of professional performers and artists and combining with a pool of great local talent, we are certain that we can bring our dream to life with Spotlight Repertory."

Aloia and Stewart are considering future projects that could include musical titles like "Matilda" and "The Sound of Music," as well as plays like "The Glass Menagerie."

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Ava Aloia and V. J. Scarpaci rehearse a dance routine for the Spotlight Youth Theatre Company's production of "Mamma Mia," set for next weekend at Snug Harbor. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

YOUTH THEATER

Even as Aloia and Stewart push forward with their new Repertory Theatre project, they continue to develop children’s theater productions, frequently in partnership with local schools.

Their Youth Theatre Company was founded nearly a decade ago with a focus on teaching young actors and providing youth performing experiences.

"We give every child the opportunity to explore theater arts,” Aloia says. “We create a shared, positive and creative environment with an organized rehearsal, workshop and performance schedule."

Productions have included the "Little Mermaid," "Elf," "Seussical,” and "Peter Pan."

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Brynn Sweere, who plays Sophia, and Simon Schaitlin, who portrays Sky in the upcoming production of "Mamma Mia," rehearse dance routines. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

MAMMA MIA

Performances of “Mamma Mia” are slated for Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m.

“Mamma Mia” is a sunny and funny tale with a Greek Island paradise as its backdrop; it features the music of the 1970s pop group ABBA, famous for songs like “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance On Me.”

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John Stewart and Mary Lee Aloia, creators of Spotlight Youth Theatre Company. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

The show tells the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father on the eve of her wedding.

The production is directed by Broadway veteran Diane DiCroce, with choreography by Stewart and musical direction by Andrew Morrissey. A mix of experienced, Broadway or touring actors and local newcomers are featured.

Tickets are available online at www.TicketLeap.com and SpotlightRepSI.com, or by phoning 718-207-1128.

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The cast of "Mamma Mia" gathers for rehearsals for its upcoming show, set for next weekend at Snug Harbor. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

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John Stewart directs the cast of "Mamma Mia," set to open next weekend at Snug Harbor. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

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The cast of "Mamma Mia" rehearses for its upcoming show, set for next weekend in the Music Hall of Snug Harbor. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

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The cast of "Mamma Mia," rehearses for the upcoming production, set for next weekend in the Music Hall at Snug Harbor. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

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John Stewart, co-creator of Spotlight Youth Theatre Company, addresses the cast of "Mamma Mia." (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

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The cast of "Mamma Mia," rehearses for its upcoming production at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)

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Simon Schaitlin, who plays Sky in the Spotlight Youth Theater production of "Mamma Mia," rehearses for the show, set for next weekend at Snug Harbor. (Courtesy/Kellen Gaughan/Wagner College)