Get the backstory on Broadway’s MAMMA MIA!
The source material is the song catalogue of ABBA. The 4-person Swedish pop group won the Eurovision Contest in 1974 with “Waterloo” launching them as international best-selling artists.
UK creative producer Judy Craymer first met ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in 1983 while working on the West End musical Chess. Struck by the dramatic throughlines in their lyrics, Craymer pitched the songwriters on a jukebox musical idea. It would not be about the group or a tribute, but follow an original storyline and characters. In 1995, the songwriters finally conceded to Craymer’s dream.
Craymer hired playwright Catherine Johnson to craft a story using the ABBA catalogue as the musical score without changing any of the original lyrics or arrangements. Johnson is an award-winning writer, with a background in British television and theatre.
Phyllida Lloyd directed the production. Lloyd has also directed TINA: The Tina Turner Musical and Mary Stuart on Broadway, Shakespeare and opera for major companies, and the film The Iron Lady.
Anthony van Laast is the choreographer. His Broadway credits include TINA, Side Show, Sister Act, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph…Dreamcoat, feature films Disney’s Beauty & the Beast (live action) and Harry Potter: The Deathly Hollows, and concerts for Sarah Brightman and Kate Bush.
Mamma Mia! opened in London’s West End on April 6, 1999 at the Prince Edward Theatre. The original production continues its run today at the Novello Theatre and has played well over 10,000 performances.
Mamma Mia! premiered in North America in Toronto in May 2000 prior to pre-Broadway tour engagements in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.
Mamma Mia! debuted on Broadway, replacing the 18-year run of CATS, at the Winter Garden Theatre on October 18, 2001 (later transferring to the Broadhurst Theatre in 2013). It was nominated for 5 Tony Awards. The Broadway production closed on September 12, 2015, after 14 years and 5,772 performances, holding the record as the 9 longest running Broadway production in history. th
The pre-Broadway US Tour continued immediately even as the show opened on Broadway, an unusual business model that proved successful A Second US National Tour opened in 2002, running concurrently for 12 years. Other notable sit-down productions include Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (2003-2009, over 1,000 performances) and onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (2014-present).
Mamma Mia! has played in more than 60 countries on 6 continents, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Germany, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States, and has been translated into multiple languages. It has been performed in over 440 major cities and has been seen by over 70 million people worldwide, setting the record for premiering in more cities faster than any other musical in history.
choreographed by same original creative team. The film’s success inspired a sequel, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (adding Cher to the mix of stars) and a third feature film is currently in development.
Licensing to regional theaters and schools began in 2016, allowing for new professional and amateur interpretations to flourish.
Mamma Mia! previously came to Reno in 2009 and 2014. The current 25 Anniversary Tour playing the Pioneer Center opened in October 2023. After Reno, this touring company will head to Seattle and Denver prior to arriving in New York City as the first Broadway revival. th
Learn more about the history & cultural significance of MAMMA MIA!
ABBA achieved a rare level of international stardom at their height, despite constant criticism. Learn more about their staying power. Read the article HERE. ia!
Producer Judy Craymer shares more specifics about her vision to create Mamma Mia! Read the article HERE. Mamma Mia’s success ignited a “jukebox musical” movement on Broadway that continues today. What is a jukebox musical? Read the article HERE. Listen to the Original Cast Recording on Spotify HERE.
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