Photo Flash: MAMMA MIA! Manila Meets the Press

Manila, Philippines, August 28, 2011 -- Mamma Mia!, Broadway's 11^th longest-running musical, is set to premiere in the Philippines early next year through Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkin Enterprises, Hi Definition Radio Inc. and Concertus Inc.'s international touring production of the Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Catherine Johnson hit musical. 

James Cundall, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions chief executive, recently presented British actors Sara Poyzer (Donna Sheridan), Charlotte Wakefield (Sophie Sheridan), Rosie Heath (Ali), Tasha Taylor Johnson (Lisa) and Kelly Edwards to the local media.  These lead actors, together with some 30 cast members, will headline Mamma Mia! at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theatre starting January 24, 2012. 

Mamma Mia!, which is widely regarded as the mother ship of jukebox musicals, contains 22 of the best radio hits of  ABBA, a Swedish pop music group formed by Andersson and Ulvaeus in the '70s. "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Take a Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes it All," are some of show-stopping musical numbers from the show.

Johnson's script, which is set on a Greek island where a wedding is about to take place, adds a dramatic structure that melds together ABBA's hit songs in a very pleasant way. 

"...the score consists entirely of songs made famous in the disco era by the Swedish pop group ABBA, music that people seldom admit to having danced to, much less sung in their showers. Yet these elements have been combined, with alchemical magic, into the theatrical equivalent of comfort food," said Ben Brantley of the New York Times.

Moreover, Anthony Van Laast's choreography is an excellent aspect of the show.  "Its ensemble dancing explodes on stage, especially during "Voulez-Vous" by the end of Act One," according to BroadwayWorld.com Philippines.

The international touring production of Mamma Mia! that will play the CCP has been seen by over 4 million theatregoers in China, Lithuania, Greece, Taiwan, Hungary, New Zealand, Serbia, Austria, among others, since its debut seven years ago. 

Tickets are available at TicketWorld outlets at selected National Bookstore branches, Robinsons Department Store (Galleria, Malate, Metro East, Festival Mall & Starmill Pampanga) and Ayala Center (Greenbelt 1, Glorietta 4, and Trinoma Mall Cinema Booths) and  at the TicketWorld Office at 6793 Ayala Avenue, Suite 701 V. Madrigal Building, Makati City.  Call (632) 891-9999  or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.  Ticket Prices:  P750, P1000, P1500, P2000, P2500, P3000, P3500, P4000, P4500, P5000, P5500, and P7000. Senior citizens enjoy a 20% discount.

Photos by Jory Rivera

Oliver is about to earn his M.S. degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University while serving as regional editor for BroadwayWorld.com. Over the past 18 years, Oliver has been handling public relations and corporate communication for numerous brands (including Pepsi), Broadway shows, Broadway stars, non-profit organizations, and mainstream celebrities. He also teaches public relations at De La Salle University-Manila. Follow Oliver on Twitter: @OliverOliveros

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