MAMMA MIA!  
The Hottest Ticket in Town

"You will leave this show with your spirits lifted - and proud of the quality of our local talent." - Marianne Thamm, Sunday Times
 
"Dié keer spog Mamma Mia! met ’n volle Suid-Afrikaanse rolverdeling en hulle skitter sonder uitsondering" - Marina Griebenow, Die Burger
 
“The first few seconds of songs get ovations, hammering home the strong appeal of this jukebox musical. The encore is a rocket that shoots the audience into the night” – Zane Henry, Argus Tonight

It's only a couple of weeks before the worldwide smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! arrives in Johannesburg from it's highly successful Cape Town season where the all-South African cast and band enjoyed nightly standing ovations and critical acclaim. Opening at The Teatro at Montecasino on Saturday, 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”. Tickets on sale at Computicket.

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs including “Dancing Queen”; “The Winner Takes It All”; “Money, Money, Money” and “Take A Chance on Me” are all featured in this feel-good night of fun and laughter.

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 a must see for every South African.” says Attie Van Wyk. "The cast will WOW Johannesburg audiences with its sensational mix of experience, youth and glamour - plus special chemistry!! ' says Hazel Feldman.

From sets to costumes and its multi-talented 31-member company and six musicians, MAMMA MIA! is proudly South African. The cast features the finest local talent and many stars of stage, film and the small screen including award winning actress Gina Shmukler (Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar); young theatre sensation, 20 year old Carmen Pretorius (High School Musical SA & Shanghai) and acclaimed theatre and television award winning actresses, Ilse Klink (Chicago, Isidingo) and Kate Normington (Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard).

The roles of the three possible dads are played by popular Afrikaans actor and local soapie-star Anrich Herbst who began his television career as the young son, “Wimpie” in the hit series Orkney Snork Nie; Murray Todd (We Will Rock You, Egoli, Invictus) and Neels Clasen (Isidingo, We Will Rock You).

With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! is a global smash hit. Over 42 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! “You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life”. The South African cast of this global smash hit musical will be “singing out loud” for “somewhere in the crowd, there’s you”.

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!, “the world’s number one musical” boasting an entirely South African company.

Cape Town and Johannesburg hospitality bookings:

Warwick Hospitality and Events, Cape Town office, Tel: 021 683 5654
Dudley Horn, Warwick Hospitality and Events, Johannesburg office, Tel:  011 467 8400  Email: Dudley@warwickhospitality.co.za

Group bookings, contact Collett Dawson, 021 422 3500, Email  terri@bigconcerts.co.za or Jeanette Oosthuizen, 083 264 4674, Email sales@showtime.co.za. For all Teatro group hospitality bookings contact Montecasino Hospitality &  Corporate Events on 011 510 7905 or montecasino.hospitality@tsogosun.com

Show Information:

Cape Town

Johannesburg

FOR FURTHER MEDIA INFORMATION AND IMAGES PLEASE CONTACT:

National Publicist:
DEBBI DE SOUZA
Cell: 082 822 9478
Office Fax: 031-5614004
Email: debranne@icon.co.za  

Cape Town Publicist:
ALLISON FOAT
DIVA Publicity Events Marketing
Cell: + 27 83 635 6312
Office: + 21 462 7384
Email: diva_events@iafrica.com

Mamma Mia! celebrates 100 performances

11 November 2010