Last modified: Thursday, February 12, 2009
ABBA homage 'Mamma Mia!' returns to IU Auditorium
WHAT: Broadway musical Mamma Mia!
WHERE: IU Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St.
WHEN: Friday, March 6, 8 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 8, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $38-$60 for the general public and $20-$49 for IU Bloomington students. Tickets are available at IUauditorium.com or at the IU Auditorium Box Office, 1211 E. Seventh St., 812-855-1103
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 12, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Mamma Mia!, the wildly popular musical based on the songs of '70s pop sensation ABBA, returns to IU Auditorium March 6 for a three-day run.
Seen by more than 30 million people around the world, Mamma Mia! was originally created by ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The global smash hit is celebrating six sold-out years at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway, and is currently playing record-breaking engagements in Las Vegas and on National Tour in the United States. The original West End production has played more than 3,500 performances, an international tour has played in more than 30 foreign cities, and the feature film of Mamma Mia!, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, was released in July 2008.
"This show is an all-time audience favorite," said Doug Booher, director of IU Auditorium. "Everyone loves the energy that Mamma Mia! inspires. By the end of the show the entire audience is on their feet dancing to these fun, memorable songs."
An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna prepares for the wedding of Sophie, the spirited daughter she's raised alone. For Sophie's wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends (practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya) from her onetime backing band, Donna and the Dynamos.
But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own: On a quest to find the identity of her father so he can walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.
Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA's songs, from "Dancing Queen" and "S.O.S." to "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me," Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.
Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the creative team responsible for bringing Mamma Mia! to theatrical life includes Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (music and lyrics), Catherine Johnson (writer) and Phyllida Lloyd (director). 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.
For audio and video clips, an exclusive podcast and more information about Mamma Mia! at IU Auditorium, visit https://www.iuauditorium.com/new0809/index.html.
IU Auditorium
Since opening its doors in 1941, IU Auditorium has served as a university and community gathering place, hosting a diverse array of world-class artists, entertainers, musicians and lecturers in an opulent 3,200-seat theatre. The IU Auditorium Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for all Auditorium events are also available by phone at 812-855-1103 and online. See IUauditorium.com for a complete list of IU Auditorium events and more information on the current season.
