Carlsbad native leads national tour of ‘Mamma Mia!’

When Alisa Melendez was growing up in Carlsbad, she decorated the walls of her bedroom with pictures of the singers, actors and theater productions she loved most — including a photo of Sophie, the 20-year-old central character in her family’s favorite musical: “Mamma Mia!”

Now it’s Melendez who could end up on someone’s bedroom wall someday. She’s starring as Sophie in the just-launched North American touring production of “Mamma Mia!” which will arrive at the San Diego Civic Theatre on Tuesday for a six-day run.

Alisa Melendez, who was raised in Carlsbad, stars as Sophie in the national touring production of “Mamma Mia!”

(Courtesy of Alisa Melendez)

Melendez can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be starring in “Mamma Mia!” and bringing it home to San Diego County where family and friends will be able to see her perform.

The Carlsbad native found her passion for singing in church and at Tri-City Christian School in Vista and the Coronado School of the Arts. After graduating from an arts high school in Orange County, she earned her bachelor’s degree in musical theater from New York’s Pace University in 2020. She’s been working ever since, including making her Broadway debut last year in the Old Globe-born musical “Almost Famous.”

San Diego is the second stop on the 25th anniversary “Mamma Mia!” tour, which launched last week in Chicago. It’s scheduled to visit more than 35 cities in 2024.

“Mamma Mia!” is one of the most popular jukebox musicals of all time. Launched in 1999, it features the songs of ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus wrapped around the multi-generational love story. Sophie is the soon-to-be-married daughter of single mom Donna, who runs a taverna on a Greek island. Sophie wants her father to walk her down the aisle, but she’s never met him. Donna had flings with three men who briefly visited the island as tourists 20 years ago and she never saw them again. Secretly, Sophie invites all three men to the island under the guise of Donna, and when they arrive, unexpected sparks fly.

Melendez recently answered some questions about her theater journey and her love for “Mamma Mia!” from the road.

Q: How has the “Mamma Mia!” tour been going, and what does it feel like to be starring in the show during its San Diego visit next week?

A: It’s been an incredible process, with an incredible team. I cannot wait for the world to see the magic this cast has been bringing to this show daily! We have our first preview in Elmira, New York, tonight and it is sold out. All of our performances here are at full capacity and I hear that’s becoming the norm for our upcoming stops as well. So get your tickets! The energy is already incredibly high, and I am elated to be able to share this with so many more people, including my hometown.

To return to San Diego as Sophie in “Mamma Mia!” is a blessing and a dream that I can’t believe is now my reality. This is for my home, my city that helped support and blossom me. My performance in this show will be a small but beautiful gift I can give to my home in return for loving me so well.

The ABBA jukebox musical "Mamma Mia!" returns to the San Diego Civic Theatre Nov. 7-12.

Q: I read that you’ve loved “Mamma Mia!” since you were in your tweens. What do you love about the musical?

A: I mean, it’s ABBA. I was obsessed. I grew up with ABBA and “Dancing Queen” blasting through the house on the weekends. When my parents came back from seeing their first Broadway show in New York City, “Mamma Mia!,” they brought back that cast album and it was on repeat. I thought it was incredible to give a certain life and story to the words of ABBA. It highlights love, joy, and freedom in such a beautiful way. I couldn’t help but get up and dance. I couldn’t help but sing every song. I couldn’t help but fall in love.

Q: When did you catch the acting bug and did you perform in theater in your elementary and middle school years?

A: I grew up singing in church where I played my first role ever as Mary in the Nativity scene and boy did I take that seriously! I did every show I could at my little Tri-City Christian school and community theater. I loved being onstage. I loved telling stories. I was inspired and encouraged to pursue acting at a very young age. That passion grew and flourished though middle school into high school, where I attended Coronado School of the Arts before transferring to Orange County School of the Arts to study musical theater.

Q: One of our reporters interviewed your mom, Lorraine, back in 2015 about your long daily commute by train to Santa Ana to attend the Orange County School of the Arts. Can you explain why it was important to you to make that sacrifice at such a young age?

A: I knew what I wanted. I knew what I was good and my family did, too. To have parents that supported my dream and what it took to pursue it is something I am forever grateful for. The importance of that sacrifice is so high to me because I think it created a foundation of what hard work felt like and the pay-off that came with it. That part of my life has always just put into perspective what this means to me — making each goal that I am blessed to achieve feel so extraordinary.

Q: You appeared in the pre-Broadway tryout of “Almost Famous” at the Old Globe, then made your Broadway debut as a swing/understudy in the cast. Was achieving your Broadway dream as special as you hoped it would be?

A: Making my Broadway debut with “Almost Famous” was the ultimate dream come true, and then some. I never thought I would have the honor to debut as an understudy/swing and feeling that extra special sense of electricity and love from the cast and audiences every moment. Saving the show and bringing a whole new energy to the show is truly an honor, and to be carried by a cast full of so much joy and support is something I will never forget.

Q: When you’re not on the road, do you live in New York City? If so, where? And what do you love about living in the city?

A: Uptown, baby! I love living in Manhattan and the community, diversity and spontaneity that New York City brings to my life every day.

Q: I read a story that you grew up in a family of chiropractors. How old were you when you realized you didn’t want to join the family business?

A: I grew up at my parents’ practice, Gold Coast Chiropractic in sunny Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and have witnessed the magic that they do there my whole life. My brothers, too, who have gone on to also practice chiropractic with both of their spouses. I am so proud of them and the work that my family of six chiropractors do. Never have I ever considered joining the family business in any role other than biggest cheerleader. And they are my biggest cheerleaders, too. Always have been!