Mamma Mia! Celebrates Three Years in Las Vegas Tonight

This evening Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA!, the global smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, celebrates its Third Anniversary at the Mandalay Bay Theatre in Las Vegas, solidifying the show's reputation as the gold standard of Broadway musicals on the Strip.

With over 1,200 performances, MAMMA MIA! has brought over 1 million people to their feet dancing in the aisles at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. The permanent production remains the longest running and most successful full scale Broadway musical to play Las Vegas.

"We are so thrilled with the ongoing success of MAMMA MIA! in Las Vegas -- the perfect feel-good night out in such a fun city," said producer Judy Craymer.

As part of the anniversary celebration, MAMMA MIA! is donating $1 for every ticket sold in the month of February to Nevada Cancer Institute.

"This action by the producers, actors and crew of MAMMA MIA! again demonstrates why so many people love this endearing and enduring show," said Shelley Gitomer, Vice President of Development at Nevada Cancer Institute. "We already knew that getting together to sing ABBA songs makes you feel good, now we can also say that it's good for cancer research and care in Nevada!"

MAMMA MIA! enters it's fourth year at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino with a new cast, led by six Broadway actors including Carol Linnea Johnson, Robin Baxter, Vicki Van Tassel, Rick Negron, Robert DuSold and Patrick Sarb.

MAMMA MIA! premiered at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in February 2003 and has broken all box office records at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. The pioneer of the Broadway to Las Vegas trend, MAMMA MIA! was named the Number #1 Show in Las Vegas by Mike Weatherford of the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Seen by over 24 million people worldwide, and with three companies currently playing in North America, MAMMA MIA! has more productions playing around the world than any other current Broadway musical. The phenomenon that Liz Smith calls "The most popular musical in the world!" has surpassed a gross of $1.4 Billion in worldwide box office sales.

MAMMA MIA! is currently playing in 11 productions around the world performed in six different languages.

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 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.

Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is the official cancer institute for the State of Nevada. NVCI's mission is to develop a comprehensive cancer research institute staffed by the finest scientists, clinicians and caregivers, to provide hope for the community through research, prevention, detection, education, support and patient-centered care by striving for a future without cancer through innovative translational research in basic, clinical and population science. NVCI has raised more than $60 million in private community financial support, with additional support of a repayable $50 million construction bond for NVCI's 142,000 square foot flagship research and care facility in the Summerlin district of Las Vegas that opened in September 2005.

MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO is a 3,300-room luxury destination resort set on 60 acres on the Las Vegas Strip. Tropically themed with mystical architecture and lush surroundings, Mandalay Bay offers an exciting, elegant experience for Las Vegas visitors. In addition to the elegantly appointed hotel rooms and a 135,000-square-foot casino, the resort features a world-class spa, 16 different restaurants, a full-service meeting and conference facility, an 11-acre tropical beach environment and the 1,600-seat Broadway-style theatre where MAMMA MIA! is playing.

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.

The performance schedule for MAMMA MIA! at the Mandalay Bay Theatre is Sunday - Thursday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m. & 10 p.m. There is no performance on Friday.

Tickets for MAMMA MIA! are $100 - $45 and are available by calling the Mandalay Bay Box Office at 703-632-7580, Ticketmaster at 703-474-4000 and online at www.mandalaybay.com or www.mamma-mia.com.