MAMMA MIA!
31.03.2010 - 04.04.2010
MAMMA MIA! live! The original version will be on stage in Graz for the first time between 31 March and 4 April 2010!
Advance booking started on Wednesday 27/05/2009!
MAMMA MIA! has inspired more than 40m people worldwide so far. Since its opening night in London ten years ago, the most successful musical of all times has fascinated an audience on all continents. MAMMA MIA!, only recently available as a movie and DVE blockbuster, has now moved from the stage to the large screens and TV screens, and an audience of millions is enthralled by the most popular film version of a musical of all times. However, the live experience of this absolutely perfectly performed international tour remains unbeatable for the magic it has to offer. The original version of MAMMA MIA! can be seen in selected theatres and venues in Germany and Austria between January and April 2010.
This unconventional musical comedy about love, family, friendship and paternity, which combines 22 of ABBA’s magic classics into a unique round robin of pop, has so far beaten all records on Broadway and in London’s West End. Ten productions around the globe are witness to the overwhelming response to MAMMA MIA!, but the focal point is still the unbeatable international tour of the original version, which, until now, has been enjoyed by an audience of more than 3m. ‘The world’s greatest musical-fun’ (BBC) is presented in an absolutely world class production.
MAMMA MIA! takes place on a small Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, the 20 year-old Sophie wants to discover her father’s identity at last. In her mother Donna’s diary, she finds references about three lovers, who, after being invited by her, meet again in the place which links them to memories of a romantic adventure 20 years before. The ensuing chaos becomes even greater when Donna’s best friends from her youth also arrive. The past becomes the present and the confusion has no limits.
MAMMA MIA! is considered a global entertainment phenomenon. The author, Catherine Johnson, and the producer, Judy Craymer, have combined the greatest hits of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in a surprising new context that simultaneously drives and makes comments on the action. The secret of this unique success lies in the fact that the audience is fully included and identifies with the story and the songs. ABBA’s golden hits, although with a changed content, accompany topics such as the search for parents, lost identity, the conflict of generations and old love that does not die. The show is about real people and real situations which the audience can truly identify with. The music that became the sound track of the generation of the 70’s and 80’s builds bridges to the present and across national borders.
The music arranger Martin Koch has admirably called MAMMA MIA! “the show which Björn and Benny did not know they had written.” “Their music made musical history and our show makes theatre history.” Next to the Beatles, Abba is one of the most successful pop groups of all times. From the moment they won the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Waterloo’ in 1974, they dominated all international charts up to 1982. Numerous single hits and gold and platinum records, sold-out tours and the blockbuster movie ‘Abba the Movie’ document their global success.
Songs such as ‘Take a chance on me’, ‘The winner takes it all’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Chiquitita’, ‚Voulez-vous’, ‘Money’, ‘I have a dream’, ‘Super Trouper’, ‘Thank you for the music’ or ‘Mamma Mia!’, just to mention a few, sold millions of copies and became timeless classics. ‘Abba Gold’ is the album with the greatest number of copies ever sold. A total of 370m albums are witness to the exceptional position of this superstar group whose hits seem as popular today as on the first and continue to enthuse new generations of fans. Cult films, such as ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ or ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ use Abba songs as background music and their stories are linked to the texts of these songs. The opening night of MAMMA MIA! generated a gigantic international Abba boom that still converts history into the present and moves many new fans into the future.
The spectacular international tour production in English is identical to the original London version. In Graz, the audience can see the original production with all stage and production elements. The superb light and sound concept and of course, the original choreography which set new benchmarks for professionalism and entertainment excellence, form part of the success.
Music and song texts - Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus; script - Catherine Johnson; stage direction - Phyllida Lloyd; choreography - Anthony Van Laast; production design - Mark Thomspon; light design - Howard Harrison; sound design - Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken; conductor, additional material and arrangements - Martin Koch
The international tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in cooperation with Universal, Stage Entertainment and NGM.
