ABBA Musical ‘Mamma Mia!’ Takes the Stage at Hollywood Pantages

Sandra Miska

The world-famous musical inspired by the tunes of legendary Swedish pop group ABBA is coming to Hollywood. “Mamma Mia!” will be at the Pantages Theatre Jan. 26-31.

Set on the Greek island of Kalokairi, 20-year-old Sophie (Kyra Belle Johnson) is preparing to marry her fiancé Sky (Stephen Eckelmann). She wants her father to walk her down the aisle, the only problem is she’s not sure who he is. After reading through an old journal belonging to her mother Donna (Erin Fish), she narrows possible dads down to three candidates: British banker Harry (Andrew Tebo), American architect Bill (Ryan M. Hunt) and American writer/adventurer Sam (Chad W. Fornwalt). She invites all three men to her wedding without telling Donna who experiences quite a shock when she sees all three ex-lovers in one place. But the pressure is really on Sophie who realizes that picking out her father is a more difficult task than she previously thought.

Also joining in on the wedding fun are two of Donna’s oldest friends, rich divorcée Tanya (Laura Michelle Hughes) and carefree bachelorette Rosie played by Sarah Smith. The trio formerly made up a girl group called Donna and the Dynamos.

British playwright Catherine Johnson wrote “Mamma Mia!,” which is based on the songs of ABBA, a group that dominated the international pop charts from 1972-1982. Former ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus composed all of the music in the show, including the super hits “Mamma Mia,” “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Dancing Queen.”

“Mamma Mia!” debuted in London’s West End in 1999. Over the next few years, productions opened on Broadway, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other major cities. The musical was adapted into a film in 2008 with Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried playing Donna and Sophie.

This North American touring production is being directed by Phyllida Lloyd, a British theater director who also helmed the film “Mamma Mia!,” as well as “The Iron Lady.”

“Mamma Mia!” will be at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood Jan. 26-31.