Mamma Mia! Walks Down the Aisle of the Orpheum Theatre–One Week Only, April 24-29, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS—Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia!, the internationally popular musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre, April 24-29, 2012. Seen by approximately 50 million people worldwide, this global sensation is celebrating more than 4,000 performances in its tenth year at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre and remains among Broadway’s top selling musicals. Tickets are on sale now. Mamma Mia! is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2011/12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found. An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she’s raised alone.

For Sophie’s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends, practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya, from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own. 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. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.

The current North American Tour has played over 3,700 performances in over 150 cities with 145 repeat visits. The original West End production of Mamma Mia! is now in its thirteenth year and has celebrated over 5,000 performances in London and the international tour has visited more than 50 foreign cities and been seen by four million people. The blockbuster feature film adaptation of Mamma Mia! produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman and starring Meryl Streep, is the most successful movie musical of all time, grossing $600 million worldwide. With a worldwide gross of over $2 billion, Mamma Mia! is acclaimed by the Associated Press as "quite simply, a phenomenon."

Produced by Judy Cramer, 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 by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

The special edition cast recording of Mamma Mia! is available on Decca Broadway. For information about Mamma Mia! go to www.mammamianorthamerica.com.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets to Mamma Mia! are on sale now and range in price from $42 to $99 (subject to change). Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402, no service fees), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.982.2787 or at a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. Prices depend on performance time and seating preference and include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 15 or more should call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations.

Performances dates for Mamma Mia! are Tuesday, April 24 through Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403).

Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, non-profit owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and the newly developed New Century Theatres, is dedicated to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. We present a rich array of live performances, create inspiring arts education experiences and advance a thriving cultural destination in downtown Minneapolis. Our programs include Broadway touring productions, the Broadway Confidential series, our SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, the Critical View student reviewer program, our free ticket Access Program and Kids’ Night and leading the planning for the cultural corridor that will extend from the Walker Art Center to the Mississippi Riverfront.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theatre website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (CEO–Theater Division), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Nick Jonas and Beau Bridges, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Godspell, Memphis, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and the New York and U.S. touring productions of Million Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

Northwestern Mutual – The Columns Resource Group is a proud sponsor of the 2011-12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season