Victor Wallace from “Mamma Mia!”

“Mamma Mia!” is the story of a mother, a daughter, three possible dads and a trip down the aisle audiences will never forget. But ever since Jan. 28, the story that’s charmed more than two million ticket holders in Las Vegas alone has gotten even more complicated…one of those possible dads is the daughter’s old fiancé!

Victor Wallace, who five years ago originated the role of Sky (Sophie’s fiancé) in the Las Vegas production of “Mamma Mia!”, has returned to the set of Vegas’ longest-running musical to play Sam Carmichael, one of Sophie’s three potential dads. While (obviously) there’s more than just a few years difference between the two parts, Wallace said deep inside he always thought he would play the role of Sam…just not this soon.

“I feel that, as an actor, I’ve been going after more of the older, leading man roles versus the coming-of-age parts these past couple years, which mirrors my life more since I’ve had more life experiences,” Wallace told What’s On. “So timing-wise this was perfect. And, honestly, I had so much fun the first time…this is just such a fun show to do.”

Even though Wallace only played the part of Sky three years ago, the actor said he sees the show in a “different perspective” now that he’s playing the role of Sam. Wallace is also finding himself with much more to do in the play, from musical numbers to scenes opposite “Mamma Mia!’s” leading lady, mother of the bride Donna Sheridan (played by Carol Linnea Johnson).

“There’s definitely more material to play around with, which is nice,” Wallace said. “It also makes me a little nervous, though. There’s more to do in the role, and I definitely want to do it justice.”

While being the new guy can be hard, Wallace said things have been going smoothly since his return. Wallace credits Johnson with making the transition back into the show a smooth one, as well as those few familiar faces who have been with the hit production since its Vegas debut. Of course, it also helps that Wallace isn’t the only new person joining the cast: the roles of Sky, Sophie and Harry (one of the other possible dads) all feature new actors in the parts as well.

“It’s nice, ’cause if I was the only new guy, it would probably be much more intense,” Wallace said. “There would be too much attention just on me, so it’s nice to share the spotlight. Plus, I would hate to be the only one responsible for having rehearsals during the day [laughs].”

Having signed a one-year contract, Wallace’s return is bittersweet in a way, as he will be closing the show when “Mamma Mia!” ends its nearly six-year run next January. Of course, with its anniversary date (Feb. 13) so close to its tentative closing date (Jan. 4), many are speculating that the show will go on for at least a few more weeks in 2009. Whenever “Mamma Mia!” does end its run, though, one thing is for certain.

“It’s such a gem of a show that it will be such a loss when it ultimately does close,” Wallace stated. “People come back to see it again and again because it’s such a fun, feel-good show. That’s a tribute not only to the music of ABBA, but also to ‘Mamma Mia!’s’ book writer (Catherine Johnson). The cleverness on how the songs are woven into the plot, sometimes I forget I’m singing such well-known pop songs because they work at furthering the story and conveying emotions so well.”

As for what the future holds for “Mamma Mia!’s” new leading man, once the curtain closes, Wallace said he’d love to originate a role of his own or play Billy Bigelow in “Carousel.” But for the time being, he’s just happy being “home.”

“There are three guys who I rehearsed with five years ago that are still here havin’ a ball,” he concluded, “so in a way, I feel like I’ve come back home. It’s sort of like a high school reunion.”

By Heather Turk

Original Context

Las Vegas Sun Article - Interview