MAMMA MIA!  THE WORLD’S #1 MEGA-HIT MUSICAL

MAMMA MIA! 
THE WORLD’S #1 MEGA-HIT MUSICAL

Experience the wonderful, irresistible story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs in the worldwide smash hit musical Mamma Mia! This enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship will premiere at Artscape, Cape Town on Sunday, 15 August 2010 for a limited season.  Thereafter the production moves to The Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg, opening on Friday, 02 October 2010. Mamma Mia! is musical entertainment for the whole family. Its broad appeal to audiences of all ages guarantees everyone at every performance will be “having the time of their lives”.

Leading South African concert promoter Attie van Wyk of BIG Concerts and theatre producer Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management in association with Nick Grace of NGM (U.K.) are proud to bring Mamma Mia! to South Africa. “Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good fun musical, which explains why it enjoys enormous global success! And of course we are proud to be presenting it on our very own doorstep, and even more proud to present a full local cast. This is a must see for every South African.” says Attie Van Wyk.  ““This all-South African cast is going to wow audiences - a sensational mix of experience, youth and glamour - plus special chemistry..!! Fantastic fun…’ says Hazel Feldman.

From sets to costumes and its multi-talented 31-member company and six musicians, Mamma Mia! is proudly South African. Boasting a cast featuring South Africa’s finest talent and starring many highly acclaimed stars of stage, film and the small screen including award winning actress Gina Shmukler (Chess, Blues Brothers, Jesus Christ Superstar, Showboat) as the mother of the bride, Donna Sheridan; South Africa’s youngest theatre sensation, 19 year old Carmen Pretorius (High School Musical SA & Shanghai, Footloose) plays the role of the bride-to-be, Sophie; theatre and television award winning actress, Ilse Klink (Chicago, The Full Monty, Isidingo, Scandal, 7de Laan) is the no-nonsense Rosie and acclaimed stage and television star, Kate Normington (Hairspray, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, High School Musical) plays the role of the wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya.  Cape Town actor and 2008 IDO Hip Hop World Championships team finalist dancer, Stephen Jubber (Merchant of Venice, High School Musical, Bollywood movies) plays Sophie’s fiancée, Sky. Popular Afrikaans actor and soapie-star Anrich Herbst who began his television career as the young son, “Wimpie” in the hit series Orkney Snork Nie and went on to play major roles in Egoli and Isidingo, will delight audiences in the role of the charismatic, Sam Carmichael, one of Sophie’s three possible fathers.  The other two possible “dads” are Bill Austin, played by Murray Todd (We Will Rock You, Romeo & Juliet,  Egoli, Invictus) and Harry Bright played by Neels Clasen (Isidingo, We Will Rock You, Annie, Soul Buddyz).

Sophie’s friends Ali and Lisa are played by Christel Mutombo (High School Musical, West Side Story, Cabaret) and Gemma Donnelly (Hairspray, My Fair Lady, Footloose) with Karabo Maithufi (Cats SA & International Tour, Hairspray, Groovy Nights) and Christopher Jaftha (High School Musical, Saturday Night Fever, African Footprint) as Sky’s friends, Pepper and Eddie.

Mamma Mia! is an original musical love story featuring 22 of ABBA’s hits including: Chiquitita; Dancing Queen; I Have a Dream; Knowing Me, Knowing You and The Winner Takes It All.

Inspired by the well-loved storybook lyrics of ABBA’s ever-popular hits, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island paradise.  On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, Mamma Mia! is a global smash hit. Over 40 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that makes Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show!

Since its stage premiere in 1999, Mamma Mia! has gone on to gross over $2 billion at the box office worldwide. This production has premiered in more cities worldwide faster than any other musical in history, opening in more than 200 major cities. Mamma Mia! is currently in its 10th Anniversary year since the first production opened on London’s West End on 6th April 1999.

With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Mamma Mia! has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

Big Concerts and Showtime Management, in association with NGM by arrangement with Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal present Mamma Mia! South African Producers, BIG Concerts and Showtime Management and their creative team will work with the global creative team to present “the world’s number one musical” boasting an entirely South African company.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: STEVEN PALING
RESIDENT DIRECTOR:  PHILIP GODAWA
ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER: SONIA DORADO

Keep up to date with MAMMA MIA! on the Facebook group Mamma-Mia South Africa

• Price:

  R180 to R380

• Time/s:

  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 20h00 and Sundays at 18h00

• Contact: 083 915 8000 or 021 4217695.
• Location: D F Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town 8001
• Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Website: http://www.artscape.co.za, http://www.mammamiasa.co.za

Comments