NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR
Good evening and I hope you are up for a wonderful night of musical theatre.
Mamma Mia! is based on the songs of ABBA who repeatedly topped the charts in Europe , North and South America and Australia during their initial active state from 1972 thru 1982.
Judy Craymer met the songwriters Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson in 1983 when they were working with Tim Rice (lyricist of the Lion King) on the musical Chess. (famous song "One Night in Bangkock"). It was the song "The Winner Takes it All that inspired her suggesting there was theatrical potential in ABBA's. The songwriters were a little unenthusiastic about the idea but not opposed.
Production would not resume until 1997 when Craymer would commision Catherine Johnson to write the book for the musical and in 1998 Phyllida Lloyd was named the director.
It oringinally opened on April 6th 1999 in the West End of London and ran until 2020 when it closed due to the pandemic. It promptly reopened August 2021 and has resumed its run. It played in Toronto in 2000 for 5 years beginning one year before its Broadway run in 2001. As of 2017 it is the 9th longest running Broadway musical theatre shows of all time.
It is certainly the most popular Jukebox musical and its opening in 2001 spawned a new era of Jukeboxes to follow.
I have always wanted to do this show as the music is very fun and the tunes create a strong emotional response from audience members.
I would have to agree that the "Winner Takes it All" is definitely the star of the show and reveals a vulnerable character who was so hurt they consider themselves the loser in the broken relationship.
It has been fun building this production from its catchy tunes to its massive set and amazing choreography. THank you again to Madison Simms who returned to co-direct this show with me. It has been an honour and a pleasure to work with you.
Now sit back, RELAX and ENJOY this story of a young woman trying to find her family and a mother trying cope with the past and the uncertain future.
MAMMA MIA HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
