The Downhomer - February 2001
Waves
of Success
Newfoundland Women Make Their Mark
Three St. John's women have sailed to success in three very different fields.
A cyperspecialist, a Labour Congress executive and an actress might not have much
to talk to each other about over coffee, but they have three significant character
traits in common - drive, passion and talent.
John Lynch
Acting since "I was a little girl," St. John's native Tina Maddigan, 25, appears to be closing in on the top of her chosen field.
From humble beginnings playing Scrooge in that well-known musical while an elementary student at Presentation Convent School in St. John's, Maddigan is now cast in a lead role in Mamma Mia!, a mega-musical where Maddigan plays the part of 'Sophie,' a girl who runs a Greek island taverna with her single mother Donna. The show makes creative use of many songs from the rock group ABBA, which attained success with hits such as "Dancing Queen," and "Mamma Mia" in the 1970s. A graduate of Brother Rice High School in St. John's, Maddigan is also a musical theatre diploma graduate of Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. Heading up a cast of 25 in Mamma Mia!, Maddigan is now touring North America with the show, putting in stops in cities such as Chicago, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington and Boston.
When asked about her success in Mamma Mia!, Maddigan said in mid-November, "You always dream big, and this is like a dream come true. Mamma Mia! started in Toronto nine months ago, and by the time we closed the show here recently, the ticket sales in Toronto had exceeded any other musical ever staged in this city."
Today, Maddigan gives a lot of credit for her current success to her high school drama teacher, Jacinta Mackey-Graham. Maddigan also noted that it took lots of work playing lesser roles and working as a waitress to get where she is today. Before Mamma Mia!, the longest Maddigan had worked on a show was six weeks.
"Prior to her attending Brother Rice, I gave her voice lessons," Mackey-Graham said. "I immediately saw potential."
Today, Mackey-Graham remains in touch with her former star pupil and indicated she saw tremendous potential in her from the beginning. Mackey-Graham was in Toronto over the summer, both to see Maddigan and to take in the show. "She has a sparkle that is clearly her own," she said. "She just has a way on the stage. Just the way she communicates with her audience is pretty dramatic."
Maddigan remembers her high school days. "I remember playing Adelaide in Guys and Dolls," said Maddigan. "Jacinta really got me interested in this at a serious level."
Maddigan has yet to definitely figure out what her plans are after her most successful gig is over. According to Maddigan, "We already have been asked to come back, I will re-negotiate my contract after it expires in March."
Due to contract stipulations, Maddigan is not permitted to discuss her salary, but laughs instead. "This has been a great boost for me financially...I've paid off my student loan from Sheridan College...
"After Mamma Mia!, I want to go back to Canada and become an established actress, maybe try my luck in TV and film."
Maddigan still treasures connections to her home province.
"I've had visits from my mother and other relatives," Maddigan said. "My 80-year-old grandmother took her first flight off the island to see me. That was the highlight of my season."
Working closely with Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, two of the original ABBA members, was also very special for Maddigan, "It was inspirational and challenging. These guys wrote, sang and danced the music - and wore the go-go boots. And we're trying to duplicate that."
Maddigan noted that Burt Reynolds and members of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club have been to the show in Toronto. "Brian Tobin took me out to dinner...He and Burt has been schmoozing with each other...
"Meeting Jennifer Lopez was a big thrill," she admitted, "I was in my dressing room with my 14-year old cousin from Newfoundland, and there was a knock at my door and Jennifer Lopez came in. She is so soft spoken and beautiful...just a pleasure to meet.".