Riverside Theatre Presents MAMMA MIA!

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present one of Broadway's longest-running musicals, Mamma Mia! Sponsored by Dave Horner and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers Group, Mamma Mia! performs on the Stark Stage from April 10-29, 2018. Mamma Mia! is produced in association with the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Enjoyed by over 60 million people all over the world, Mamma Mia! is the wonderful juke box musical that has enjoyed success in 50 countries since opening in 1999. Featuring the music from ABBA, the Swedish pop/dance group from the 1970's and 1980's, Mamma Mia! is the fifth longest-running show in London history and the eighth-longest on Broadway.

Comprised entirely of Abba's award-winning hits, the joyous show includes: "Dancing Queen," "Knowing You," "Waterloo," "Money, Money, Money," "The Winner Takes It All," "Mamma Mia", and over a dozen more songs.

Set on the Greek island of Kalokari, the story revolves around Sophie, a young woman engaged to marry her handsome fiancé, Sky. Sophie's mother, Donna, owns an establishment on the idyllic island where she raised Sophie all alone.

Sophie, dreaming of having her father walk her down the aisle, sets out on a mission to discover his identity since her mother has never established who he might be. After reading her mother's diary, Sophie concludes that her dad could be any one of three men and secretly invites all three to the wedding, expecting to recognize her father instantly.

When everyone arrives for the wedding, there is much reminiscing among Donna's long-time girlfriends, and the three potential fathers. All three men become convinced that they are Sophie's dad, but Sophie has no clue as to which one it is. Undeterred, Sophie decides that her mother should walk her down the aisle.

However, before the ceremony begins, Sophie and Sky decide they are not ready for marriage. Rather than cancel the festivities, Sam, one of the potential fathers, confesses to Donna that he has always loved her, and proposes. Sam and Donna get married and each potential dad agrees that no matter who the real father is, all three with be Sophie's dad.

The World Premiere production opened in London on April 6, 1999 at the Prince Edward Theatre. After two theatre transfers, Mamma Mia! is still playing on London's West End.

Mamma Mia! opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on October 18, 2001. It transferred to the Broadhurst Theatre on November 2, 2013 and closed on September 12, 2015 after having 5,773 performances on Broadway.

Riverside's production of Mamma Mia! is directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford and stars Anne Brummel (Donna Sheridan), Charis Leos (Rosie), Lyn Philistine (Tanya), Eric Kunze (Sam Carmichael), Christopher Sutton (Bill Austin), Jonas Cohen (Harry Bright), Laura Giknis (Sophie Sheridan), Schyler Conaway (Sky), and Brett-Marco Glauser (Pepper).

The ensemble cast includes: Evan Autio, Anthony Avino, Christopher deProphetis, Veronica Fiaoni, Taylor Fields, Billy D. Hart, Jesse Jones, Cody Knable, Adam Mandala, Kimberly Maxson, Kathryn Miller, Owen Pelesh, Kristyn Pope, Taylor Elise Rector, Kristi Smith, and Tara Tagliaferro.

The production crew includes: Anne Shuttlesworth (Music Director), Peter Barbieri (Scenic Designer), Gail Baldoni (Costume Designers), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), Amy M. Bertacini (Production Stage Manager), and Rebekah Church (Assistant Production Stage Manager). Casting was done by Brian Kurtas, CSA.

Mamma Mia! performs April 10-29, 2018 on the Waxlax Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets starts at $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night (the first Tuesday performance), Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

The 2018-2019 Season has been announced. Shows include: Smokey Joe's Café, Evita, The Last Romance, My Fair Lady and Legally Blonde on the Stark Stage and Next To Normal and Ghost Writer on the Waxlax Stage.

Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.

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