MAMMA MIA! Begins This Month at Barter Theatre

Featuring more than 20 hit ABBA songs, the musical "Mamma Mia!" has become a worldwide phenomenon boasting a 14-year run on Broadway and countless touring productions, but it has never before been performed at a U.S. regional theatre anywhere in the country. On May 27, Barter Theatre will become the first theatre to ever host a U. S. regional production of this fun-filled sensation.

Naturally, such a landmark production has attracted the attention of nationally known artists and designers including Paul Russell who will direct Barter's production; Howard Tsvi Kaplan, Costume Designer; and Richard Finkelstein, Set Designer.

Russell sees "Mamma Mia!" as a great family production that lets "parent share and relive the fabulous songs of ABBA by bringing sons and daughters to "Mamma Mia!" Russell said, "At a tour performance of Mamma Mia! I sat aside a father whose six-year old daughter bounced in her daddy's lap to the beat of the songs. I'll never forget her smile, or her singing ABBA tunes during intermission. That girl's joy is Mamma Mia's heart."

Kaplan said, "The costumes have lots of vivid color, fun reminiscent prints and will be garnished with sequins and sparkles," a design which serves to compliment the bright, sparkling themes of this over-the-top musical.

This fun-filled story follows a mother, a daughter and three possible fathers. Sophie, Donna's daughter, has just one wish, to have her father walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. Now she just has to find out who he is!

Hope Quinn will be playing Sophie Sheridan. Quinn said, "The music is nonstop fun. I love looking around the room during music rehearsals to see members of our cast tapping their feet or even dancing along as we sing."

Quinn will be joined on stage by a cast of well-known Barter favorites including Tricia Matthews as Donna Sheridan and Nicholas Piper, Rick McVey and Nick Koesters as Harry Bright, Bill Austin and Sam Carmichael.

"Mamma Mia!" is made possible by the corporate sponsorship of Food City and Strongwell. Barter Theatre is funded in part by The Virginia Commission for the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts.