Ithaca College
11/04/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/04/2025 13:09
MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again
MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again
By Kim Wunner, November 4, 2025
Victor Wallace '95 continues to shine in 25 year running hit musical
Victor Wallace '95 stands in front of the Winter Garden Theatre on opening night of Mamma Mia!. Photo submitted.
Victor Wallace '95 stands in front of the Winter Garden Theatre on opening night of Mamma Mia!. Photo submitted.
How did a kid from Delavan, Wisconsin wind up headlining a career in Mamma Mia ! ?! ? The path for IC alumnus Victor Wallace '95 started with an IC professor-before Wallace even stepped foot on South Hill.
As a teenager, Wallace grew up with a love for acting. His resources to develop that passion were limited in southeastern Wisconsin, so during his summers he traveled over five hours to attend Interlochen Theatre Arts Camp in Michigan. There, he studied with IC Professor Emeritus Arno Selco. By the time Wallace was looking at life after high school, he knew he wanted to be in musical theatre. Selco encouraged Wallace and his family to consider Ithaca. In the early 1990's there were not many programs to get a degree in Musical Theatre and not only did Ithaca have one, it had one of the best. The application was competitive, for sure, but Wallace applied-and he got in.
"I'm so thrilled that I've been able to really make a career and make a living doing what I love. You know, you can make a living being an actor. I feel very fortunate and proud."
Victor Wallace, '95
Victor Wallace's headshot.
Wallace worked hard during his college semesters and spent his summers performing at Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia. That experience helped him build the endurance to perform multiple shows of the same production each day-a skill that would serve him well when he landed his first role in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera, which took him to Los Angeles. Wallace held several roles in several shows, but one production-Mamma Mia! -has been his throughline.
In 2003, Wallace opened Mamma Mia! 's Las Vegas Mandalay Bay production as the young fiancé, Sky, playing the role for two years. "I remember when I was playing Sky, I thought, 'I could play Sam one day.' " Wallace was right-in 2008, he returned to Vegas to close the production in the dad role of Sam Carmichael. Of course, while playing Sky, he didn't really identify with the character of Sam, but now, he has another perspective:
"I'm so thrilled that I've been able to really make a career and make a living doing what I love. I'm not necessarily a household name, and there have been a lot of ups and downs with pursuing this career. But, you know, you can make a living being an actor. I feel very fortunate and proud."
Victor Wallace (middle) in the role of Sam in Mamma Mia!.
Victor Wallace (middle) in the role of Sam in Mamma Mia!.
In 2012, Wallace made his Broadway debut in the ensemble of Mamma Mia! , understudying the father roles. He was promoted and eventually played Sam in the 2015 Broadway closing company. In 2023, he returned to play Sam in the launch of Mamma Mia! 's 25th-anniversary national tour, traveling the country for two years.
Now he's back on Broadway for its six-month, 25th-anniversary run in its original home, the Winter Garden Theatre.
"Broadway is the theater mecca of the world, and to be a part of the Broadway community always feels magical. People travel to New York City to see theatre. A great thing about a show like Mamma Mia! is that it brings people such joy-which we need right now
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! A Life on Stage
Hit the boards and light up a stage! Ithaca College's Department of Theatre and Dance Performance prepares students for the spotlight.
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