Auckland teen says I Do, I Do, I Do to Mamma Mia! lead

Sammie Campbell, 19, from Auckland, who will play Sophie in stage show Mamma Mia, returning to Auckland in March 2018. Photo / Supplied

Auckland teen Sammie Campbell said I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do when producers of Mamma Mia! came calling.

The 19-year-old musical theatre performer will play the lead of Sophie in the Abba stage show when it returns to Auckland in March.

Sammie will be drawing on some real life experience to bring her character to life. She has been encouraged to pursue her dreams and be happy by her mother whose name, like that of Sophie's in the musical, is also Donna.

"For me, the story is about strong women. They make their own choices. They don't let men define them ... They realise their own dreams, and they go after them," said Sammie, who works at a pain clinic in Remuera.

"My Mum is honestly the strongest woman I know. She has a lot in common with fictional Donna in the way she's quite protective of me, but does it out of love. She only wants the best for me."

Mamma Mia! has been seen by more than 60 million people and grossed $2 billion worldwide since its debut in 1999.

Set to Abba's hit songs including Super Trouper, Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Take a Chance on Me, Thank You for the Music, Money, Money, Money, The Winner Takes It All and SOS, Mamma Mia! opens in Auckland on March 24. Tickets on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday (SUBS: OCT 20).

Meanwhile, theatre fanatic Sammie is hard at work perfecting her role as quietly spoken Sister Mary Robert for the Whoopi Goldberg hit musical, Sister Act, which opens in Auckland next month.