Photo Flash: MAMMA MIA Bursts onto the Marriott Theatre Stage

The global phenomenon seen by over 60 million people all around the world and one of Broadway's longest running hits, MAMMA MIA!, kicks off Marriott Theatre's 2017 Season, running February 8 through April 2, 2017 with a press opening on February 15 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Multi Jeff Award Winner Rachel Rockwell (World Premiere of October Sky and 42nd Street at Marriott Theatre; Ride the Cyclone at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and MCC Theatre, New York; and Brigadoon at Goodman Theatre), returns to direct the much-loved piece, with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, and book by Catherine Johnson.Rockwell, who has an extensive history with the show, having performed it many times including on Broadway, joins forces with longtime collaborators Set Designer Scott Davis, who will re-imagine the Signature Theatre-in-the-round space, and Costume Designer Theresa Ham who returns to the Marriott following the success of October Sky, along with Choreographer Ericka Mac and Musical Director Ryan T. Nelson.

Check out photos from the show below!

"I'm really excited to put my spin on this exuberant celebration of music and friendship," says Rockwell. "The show is a story of the enduring female relationships in our lives - mothers and daughters, women supporting each other. Paired with these songs that we all love, it brings such joy. It truly is a love letter to that ABBA sound."

MAMMA MIA! is the story of the dynamic relationship between independent and carefree mother, Donna Sheridan, and her spirited daughter, Sophie, who she has raised alone on an idyllic Greek island. While Donna invites her two best friends to her daughter's wedding, practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya, Sophie has plans of her own up her sleeve. On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier, hoping to build a bond with the father she's never known. Chaos ensues over the next 24 hours as new love blooms and old flames are rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities. Fusing explosive dance numbers with timeless songs, including "Dancing Queen", "S.O.S.", "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me," MAMMA MIA! will have audiences singing along to all the classic favorites in this feel-good story full of laughs, love, family and friendship.

MAMMA MIA! stars Danni Smith as "Donna Sheridan" (The Marriott Theatre: Man of La Mancha and City of Angels; Paramount: A Christmas Story; Porchlight: Chess), Meghan Murphy as "Tanya" (The Marriott Theatre: City of Angels; Drury Lane Oakbrook: Smokey Joe's Café), Cassie Slater as "Rosie" (The Marriott Theatre: Man of La Mancha and City of Angels), Tiffany Tatreau as "Sophie Sheridan" (The Marriott Theatre: Sister Act and Spring Awakening; Chicago Shakespeare Theater/MCC: Ride the Cyclone), Peter Saide as "Sam Carmichael" (Chicago Shakespeare/Old Globe: Sense and Sensibility; Paramount: Oklahoma!; Las Vegas: Jersey Boys), Karl Sean Hamilton as "Harry Bright" (The Marriott Theatre: For the Boys and The Full Monty; Goodman Theatre: Wonderful Town; Chicago Shakespeare Theater/MCC: Ride the Cyclone), Derek Hasenstab as "Bill Austin" (The Marriott Theatre: How To Succeed..., Spring Awakening, October Sky; Lookingglass Theatre Company: Eastland), Russell Mernagh as "Sky" (The Marriott Theatre: Evita; Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Ride the Cyclone; The Mercury Theatre: The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes), Kayla Kennedy as "Ali,"Lillian Castillo as "Lisa," Liam Quealy as "Pepper," and Gerard Salvador as "Eddie." Also featuring Ari Aaron, William Carlos Angulo, Aramie, Julie Baird, Nathaniel Braga, Colte Julian, Tommy Lucas, Ericka Mac, John Marshall, Jr., Zoe Nadal, Hanah Rose Nardone, Laura Savage, Colette Todd and Kylah Williams.

The production will feature set design by Scott Davis, costume design by Theresa Ham, lighting design by Jesse Klug, sound design by Bob Gilmartin, properties design by Sally Weiss, musical supervision and orchestra conducted by Patti Garwood.

The performance schedule for MAMMA MIA! is Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Ticket prices range from $50 to $60, including tax and handling fees. Call for student, senior and military discounts. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings there are a limited number of FREE dinners available with the purchase of a full-priced theatre ticket, which can only be purchased through the Marriott Theatre Box Office. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.

Photo credit: Justin Barbin and Liz Lauren

Company of MAMMA MIA. Photo by Liz Lauren
Peter Saide, Danni Smith. Photo by Liz Lauren
Kayla Kennedy, Tiffany Tatreau, Lillian Castillo. Photo by Justin Barbin
Meghan Murphy, Danni Smith, Cassie Slater. Photo by Justin Barbin
Danni Smith and Company. Photo by Justin Barbin
Meghan Murphy and Company. Photo by Justin Barbin
Danni Smith and Company. Photo by Liz Lauren
Tiffany Tatreau and Russell Mernagh. Photo by Liz Lauren
Danni Smith and Tiffany Tatreau. Photo by Liz Lauren
Meghan Murphy, Danni Smith, Cassie Slater. Photo by Liz Lauren
Derek Hasenstab, Peter Saide, Karl Hamilton. Photo by Liz Lauren