MAMMA MIA! Cast Receives Special Winter Garden-Themed Holiday Presents

The producers of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' global smash hit musical Mamma Mia! gave a holiday gift to cast, crew, and creators this year that was truly one of a kind. Using the iconic front of house marquees from the Winter Garden Theatre, where the musical played a record breaking long run before recently moving to the Broadhurst Theatre, the producers collaborated with a nonprofit called Mission Wear to transform 300 pounds of vinyl signage of the marquees into sporty, efficient and one of a kind tote bags.

Founded in 2006 by Beth Massey, Mission Wear (themissionwear.org) is a non-profit sewing business that hires women with obstacles to employment. The organization works to create reusable products from upcycled materials like marketing banners, denim, T-shirts, burlap coffee bags and even repurposed bike tires. According to Ms. Massey, "Mission Wear is important because it gives women an opportunity to gain work experience, enter into the work force and become more self-sufficient."

Everyone was thrilled to receive the meaningful and one of a kind gift. "When Mamma Mia! approached us to create tote bags out of its iconic Broadway marquee, I felt excited about the possibilities of re-purposing banners that would be in the hands of people from all over the world."

Broadway's long running hit Mamma Mia! is celebrating over 5,000 performances at its new home at The Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44 Street). Now celebrating 13 smash hit years on Broadway Mamma Mia! is the 10th longest running show in Broadway history and one of only 5 musicals to have run for more than 10 years on Broadway.

Acclaimed by the Associated Press as "quite simply, a phenomenon" Mamma Mia! continues its success around the world having been seen by over 54 million people, in 38 productions in 14 languages in over 400 cities. The original West End production is now in its 15th year in London.

MAMMA MIA! the show is one of the most successful musicals of all time anywhere in the world and the movie adaptation starring Meryl Streep is one of the most successful movie musicals of all time grossing $600 million worldwide.

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Mamma Mia! is Judy Craymer's vision of writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolding on a tiny Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they had last visited 20 years ago. Songs including "Dancing Queen," "The Winner Takes It All," "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me" are all featured in this feel-good night of fun and laughter.

For tickets, schedule and information about Mamma Mia!: www.mammamianorthamerica.com/.