Mamma Mia! Celebrates Two Years in Las Vegas - February 17

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, enters its 3rd hit year at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino with a special performance on Thursday, February 17.

In recognition of MAMMA MIA's contribution to the Las Vegas entertainment scene, Mayor Oscar Goodman's office will present the cast with a proclamation officially declaring February 17 "MAMMA MIA! Day."

MAMMA MIA! producer Judy Craymer, who oversees 14 productions of the musical around the world said, "I'm particularly thrilled that audiences have been so supportive of MAMMA MIA! in Las Vegas. I'm very proud that our musical is one of the most popular destinations on The Strip and that visitors and Las Vegas residents return to see the show again and again."

MAMMA MIA! premiered at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on February 13, 2003. The permanent production remains the longest running and most successful full scale Broadway musical ever to play the Las Vegas Strip. MAMMA MIA! has broken all box office records at the Mandalay Bay Theatre and was named the Number #1 Show in Las Vegas by Mike Weatherford of the Las Vegas Review Journal in 2004.

Seen by over 20 million people worldwide, and with four companies currently playing in North America (which between them grossed $190 million in 2004 alone), MAMMA MIA! has more productions playing around the world than any other current Broadway musical. In 2004 the phenomenon that Liz Smith calls "The most popular musical in the world!," surpassed a gross of $1 Billion in worldwide box office sales.

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds 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 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.

Produced by Judy Craymer, 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.

MAMMA MIA! is playing currently in 14 productions around the world performed in seven different languages.

For more information about MAMMA MIA! around the world: www.mamma-mia.com