Sierra Rep Opens 2018 Season with Mega-Hit MAMMA MIA!

Sierra Repertory Theatre opens its 2018 season with Mamma Mia!, the international smash-hit musical. ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a teen's search for her birth father on a Greek island paradise. Mamma Mia! is directed and choreographed by Valerie Rachelle, music directed by John C. Brown, and features a cast of SRT favorites and newcomers. Mamma Mia! runs February 10 - April 8 at the East Sonora Theatre. For tickets, call (209) 532-3120 or visit www.SierraRep.org.

Over 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story, and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three 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, explosive dance numbers, and non-stop laughs combine to make Mamma Mia! the musical that will leave audiences dancing down the aisle!

"I feel the thing about ABBA is that the music features stories about freedom, conflict, heartbreak, romance, and even sexuality of women in a way that shows strength instead of passivity," says director Valerie Rachelle. "Mamma Mia! takes the strength the music offers and gives us a lead character that has provided for herself and for her daughter all on her own and has succeeded. I think the message of the musical is that you can love deeply and truly and still be who you are. And possibly, love and be loved deeper because of it."

Guest Director Valerie Rachelle makes her Sierra Rep directorial debut with Mamma Mia! Rachelle is currently the Artistic Director at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon. She has directed and choreographed for theaters around the country including: Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Fresno Grand Opera, Performance Riverside, Lucid By Proxy, Utah Shakespearean Festival, and PCPA Theaterfest. Rachelle has been awarded Best Director by the Scenie Awards in Los Angeles for her productions of Urinetown, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, South Pacific, and The Music Man.

The Mamma Mia! ?cast features:

Becky Saunders* as Donna Sheridan (Noises Off!, The Robber Bridegroom)

Carrie Brandon as Sophie Sheridan (SRT debut)

Brenda O'Brien* as Tanya Cresham-Leigh (SRT debut)

Cat Yates as Rosie Mulligan (The Great American Trailer Park Musical)

Alan Gillespie* as Sam Carmichael (SRT debut)

Russell Garrett* as Harry Bright (My Fair Lady)

Kipp Moorman as Bill Austin (SRT debut)

Bobby Cook Gallagher as Sky (SRT debut)

With Bethany Baderdeen, Lucas Michael Chandler, Mandy Corbett, Hanz Enyeart, Quinn Farley, Shannon Gerrity, Jesse Graham, Natalie Graham, Derik Lawson, Zach Padlo, Reese Rush, and Kaitlyn Sage.

*Member, Actors' Equity Association

The creative team also includes scenic design by Dana Moran Williams, lighting design by Mike Sali, costume design by Rebecca Meredith, properties design by Matt Sweetland, and stage management by Jay David.

Mamma Mia! is rated PG-13.

Tickets for Mamma Mia! can be purchased online at www.SierraRep.org?, or by phone at (209) 532-3120,? or by visiting the Box Office (Tuesday through Saturday, 11am - 5pm) at the East Sonora Theatre, located at 13891 Mono Way in Sonora. Performances at the East Sonora Theatre begin on February 10 and continue through April 8. Performance times are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm. Ticket prices range from $32 to $47. Discounts for seniors, children, and students (18 and over with student ID) are available for all performances. Special discounts for groups of 20 or more are also available.

Events taking place during the run of Mamma Mia!? include:

Opening Night Gala - Saturday, February 10

The celebration begins with a reception, silent auction and dinner at Black Oak Casino Resort Hotel banquet room. The party then moves to the East Sonora Theatre for a live auction, opening night performance of Mamma Mia!, and after-party for dessert with the cast and staff.

Post-Show Talkback - Friday, March 23

Enjoy our Talkback series with Marketing Director Jerry Lee and members of the cast following this performance, FREE with the purchase of a ticket for that evening's performance.

Sierra Repertory Theatre is a professional non-profit theater located in California's beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills. Since 1980, Sierra Rep has focused on its original mission: to present audiences with a broad range of theatrical literature at the highest production quality possible; to pay artists and staff a living wage and to make a vibrant contribution to our community's economy, culture and spirit. Sierra Repertory Theatre is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information about Sierra Repertory Theatre and upcoming shows, please visit www.SierraRep.org or call the box office at (209) 532-3120. Follow Sierra Repertory Theatre on Instagram at @SierraRep; and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SierraRep.

Photo credit: Rich Miller Photography

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