'MAMMA MIA!' Inspired Miley, Cyrus Cites Musical as Inspiration

The Vancouver Sun has a interview with country star and father of teen sensation Miley Cryus, Billy Ray Cyrus. In the article Cryus reveals a "Broadway" connection to her sky-rocketing rise to fame, the musical MAMMA MIA inspired the young starlet on the road to fame!

Billy Ray Cyrus knows something about handling sudden fame, his 1992 hit Achy Breaky Heart was a scorching chart topper. His acting life, the Sun explains "began with a small role in the 2001 David Lynch film Mulholland Drive and moved to the TV series Doc, which was filmed in Toronto from 2001 to 2004. That was where his Miley fell in love with acting: the story is that Miley, then eight, went with Billy Ray to a production of Mamma Mia! at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and she grabbed his arm and said, "I want to be an actress." To read the article in the Sun click here.

Miley Cyrus is a Golden Globe and Critic's Choice Award-nominated American singer, actress, and best-selling author. Cyrus is better known for starring as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana in the television series Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel.

Cyrus became a pop sensation after Hannah Montana debuted in March 2006. Following the success of the show, in October 2006, a soundtrack CD was released in which she sang eight songs from the show. Cyrus' solo music career began with the release of her debut album, Meet Miley Cyrus on June 23, 2007. Her second album, Breakout was released on July 22, 2008. Breakout is Cyrus' first album that does not involve the Hannah Montana franchise. Both albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.

In 2008 she released her Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert film.

Hannah Montana: The Movie will be released in theaters on April 10, 2009 in the United States.

Seen by more than 32 million people around the world, MAMMA MIA!, is celebrating over 3,000 performances in its 8th smash hit year on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre (1535 Broadway), the original West End production has played nearly 4,000 performances, an international tour has played in more than 40 foreign cities, and the blockbuster feature film adaptation of MAMMA MIA!, produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, is the most successful movie musical of all time and continues to smash box office records around the world.

With a worldwide gross of over $2 Billion, MAMMA MIA! is acclaimed by the Associated Press as "quite simply, a phenomenon."

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 tiny 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. 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.

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 some of the most gifted and celebrated talents of musical theatre and opera. 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 byHoward Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! plays on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) Tuesday through Saturday at 8p, Sunday at 7p, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2p.

Ticket prices range from $62.75 -$121.50, including a $1.50 Shubert facility fee. Tickets are available by calling the MAMMA MIA! hotline at (212) 563-5544/(800) 432-7250; in person at the Winter Garden Box Office or online at www.telecharge.com/mamma-miaand www.mamma-mia.com

For more information about MAMMA MIA! around the world visit: www.mamma-mia.com.

Photo Credit: Sarah DeBoer/Retna Ltd.