Photo Flash: Great Lakes Theater Presents MAMMA MIA!

Great Lakes Theater (GLT) will commence its 2018-19 season at the Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square with a Fall Repertory that features the smash hit feel-good musical, Mamma Mia! and Jane Austen's classic romantic comedy, Pride and Prejudice. The productions will be performed in rotating repertory September 28 - November 11, 2018.

Victoria Bussert will direct Mamma Mia! and Pride and Prejudice will be directed by Joseph Hanreddy who also adapted the production's script in collaboration with J.R. Sullivan. Mamma Mia! (Music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus / Some songs with Stig Anderson / Book by Catherine Johnson / Originally conceived by Judy Craymer) is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, www.MTIShows.com.

Generous support for Mamma Mia! is provided by the Kulas Foundation. The production is part of the Kulas Musical Theater Series at Great Lakes Theater. GLT's production of Pride and Prejudice is presented with generous support from John and Barbara Schubert (in honor of their dear friend, Howard Gray, S.J.) and the John and Susan Lebold family. Production media support is provided by FORM Group. Great Lakes Theater is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Additionally, the Great Lakes Theater 2018-19 Season is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Media sponsors for GLT's 57th season are FORM Group and ideastream (WCLV 104.9 FM, WCPN 90.3 FM & WVIZ)

The Fall Repertory begins with the smash hit feel-good musical, Mamma Mia! On a tiny Greek island, Sophie is making final preparations for her wedding day in paradise. Little does her mother Donna know that Sophie's last minute preparations include sleuthing out who her father may be among three possible candidates that she's secretly invited. The story-telling magic of pop-hit songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter, family and friendship...which concludes with a trip down the aisle that audiences will never forget.

Jane Austen's classic romantic comedy, Pride and Prejudice completes GLT's Fall Repertory pairing. While everyone around her is pressuring marriage, the outspoken Elizabeth Bennet is barely interested - until she meets the handsome, enigmatic Mr. Darcy, that is. Despite finding themselves unwittingly and unwillingly attracted to one another, will Mr. Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice undo the fledgling romance before the relationship blossoms? Fearless, funny and utterly irresistible, Jane Austen's classic is sure to steal the hearts of audiences.

Great Lakes Theater's award-winning home at the Hanna Theatre features a visionary "Great Room" inspired design that integrates the artist and audience experience into a single unified environment. Hanna patrons select from a variety of seating opportunities including traditional theater seats, club chairs, lounge/bar seats, banquette couches and private box seating. Arranged in an intimate 550-seat thrust configuration where the audience surrounds the stage, no seat is further than 13 rows from the performance.

Great Lakes Theater offers patrons a robust series of Experience Enhancement Programming that is organized by day of week. The series highlights the Hanna's unique amenities and affords access to artists.

• Salon Thursdays feature an engaging pre-show discussion/presentation beginning one hour before curtain with a Great Lakes Theater artist. (Offered: Oct. 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1 & 8 )

• Ice Cream Social Sundays offer patrons the opportunity to enjoy a London theatre tradition brought state-side. Audience members are invited to purchase a cool, personal ice cream treat before the show or at intermission. Ice cream will be offered at every performance in GLT's Fall Repertory, but on Ice Cream Social Sundays, the treat is half price. (Offered: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4 & 11)

• Director's Nights offer audiences the opportunity to take part in a lively pre-show discussion with GLT's Producing Artistic Director, Charles Fee, and the director of each production before Friday preview performances. (Offered: Sept. 28 & Oct. 5)

• Playnotes Pre-Show Discussions inform patrons with illuminating introductions to the content and history of each play in GLT's season presented by a guest scholar before Saturday matinee performances. (Offered: Oct. 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3 & 10)

Great Lakes Theater will continue to afford patrons extraordinary access to its artists and production process at every Hanna Theatre performance this fall. The Hanna always opens its doors sixty minutes before each performance allowing patrons to observe the complete pre-show preparation process of GLT's actors and technical staff. Elements traditionally hidden from audiences such as stage combat rehearsals, dance calls, prop/scenic pre-sets, technical cue rehearsals and actor warm-ups will be conducted in full view of patrons, offering GLT audiences an unprecedented glimpse into the theatrical process.

Great Lakes Theater will also renew its New Deal pricing initiative this fall - designed to increase accessibility for audiences. As part of the program, adult tickets begin at $15 and student tickets for any seat at any performance are $13 - making GLT one of the most affordable entertainment options in the region.

Opening Night (also Press Night) performances of Mamma Mia! (September 29) and Pride and Prejudice (October 6) have been scheduled for Saturday evenings with preview performances of both productions scheduled for the preceding Friday nights. Curtain times for all evening performances will remain at 7:30 p.m., with a 1:30 p.m. curtain time for Saturday matinees and a 3:00 p.m. curtain time for Sunday matinees. All GLT productions will continue to offer sign-interpreted and audio-described performances.

Single performance tickets range in price from $15-$91 (Student tickets are $13) and are available by calling (216) 241-6000, by ordering online or by visiting the Playhouse Square Ticket Office. Groups of ten or more save up to 30% by calling (216) 241-5490 x322.

Great Lakes Theater, the first resident company of Playhouse Square, has brought the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience since 1962. GLT programming positively impacts over 100,000 adults and students annually.

Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni