Tickets are moving fast for Theatre on the Bay’s Musical Comedy ‘Mamma Mia!’

  On the UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus, July 19-21 and 26-28

Marinette, Wis. — Tickets are hot for Theatre’s on the Bay’s summer sensation “Mamma Mia!” July 19-21 and 26-28, on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Marinette Campus.

UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus students and community members have been busy rehearsing for the jukebox musical based on the music of the Swedish pop super-group ABBA. Theatre on the Bay presents this story of love, hope, and discovering who you really are.

“It might very well be the fastest-selling show we’ve ever had, said Theatre on the Bay Artistic Director, Rebecca Stone Thornberry. “Certainly, it’s the fastest selling show in the eight years that I’ve been here!”

Appropriate and fun for audiences of all ages, “Mamma Mia!” has proven popular throughout the U.S. where it premiered on Broadway in 2001. After a long Broadway run and an extensive professional tour, rights have only recently been released for non-professional companies. Music and lyrics are by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, with some songs developed with Stig Anderson. The book is by Catherine Johnson, and the show was originally conceived for the stage by Judy Craymer. Martin Koch also developed additional materials for “Mamma Mia!”

In the musical, Sophie Sheridan (Jacqueline Nutter, Menominee) is getting married to Sky (Noah Steffen, Marinette), but she doesn’t know who’s walking her down the aisle. Sophie has no idea who her real father is, and her mother, Donna Sheridan (Jennifer Rickaby, Marinette) is no help. According to Donna’s diary, three different men could be Sophie’s dad. Sophie secretly invites all three to the wedding, hoping to answer her question by bringing them all together at her home on the sunny Greek island of Kalokairi. Is it Sam Carmichael (Dave Rickaby, Marinette), who left Donna years ago? Maybe it’s world traveler Bill Austin (Glenn Sellen, Sobieski)? Could it be headbanger-turned-London banker Harry Bright (James Porras II, Menominee)?

Donna’s “Summer Nights” taverna bustles with preparations: Sophie’s bridesmaids, Ali (McKenna Carvenough, Amberg) and Lisa (Michaela Kaiser, Oconto Falls), Sky’s best friends Pepper and Eddie (Bailey Boutin, Marinette and Ben Everson, Marinette) and Rosie and Tanya (Kari Moody, Oconto and Brittany Welch, Marinette)–once part of Donna’s musical trio The Dynamos—are all on hand to help, along with Father Alexandrios (Tristan Schuh, Menominee) to officiate at the wedding.

“Mamma Mia’s!” ensemble also includes Lisa Atkinson-LeBoeuf (Menominee), Alyssa Carviou (Marinette), Tyrus Cretens (Marinette), Hannah Fields (Marinette), Emily Rose Halfmann (Marinette), Tammela Kirk (Menominee), Kendra Krouth (Marinette), Lydia LeBoeuf (Menominee), Michele Lemire (Menominee), Cassidy MacArthur (Marinette), Travis Meyer (Menominee), Annalisa Mines (Peshtigo), Karah Nelson (Marinette), Colin Nygren (Marinette), Lori Patzke (Menominee), Kenan Pulver (Menominee) and Olivia Smith (Peshtigo).

The production staff includes Director John Thornberry (Marinette), Brittany Welch and James Porras II (musical directors; Marinette and Menominee), Heather Olsen (choreography, Menominee), Joshua LaLonde (scenic design, Marinette), Chris Weber (lighting design, Crivitz), Annalisa Mines (costume design, Peshtigo) and Jared Thomson (stage management, Oconto). Rebecca Stone Thornberry (Marinette) is artistic director and the show’s producer.

“Mamma Mia!” will be presented on the Nancy Gehrke Stage in the Herbert L. Williams Theatre at UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus July 19-21 and 26-28. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm and Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for patrons 65 and older and $14 for students with ID (additional ticket fees apply). Tickets for reserved seats are on sale now at tinyurl.com/mammamiatob. Tickets may also be purchased at the theatre box office one hour before every performance.

Other shows in the upcoming Season of Laughter are “Reckless” by Craig Lucas and Oscar Wilde’s classic “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Children’s Theatre productions include “Frozen Jr.,” the third annual Christmas by the Bay concert and “Anne of Green Gables.” 2019-2020 season tickets are available in six-show (20% discount) at tinyurl.com/sixshowseasonpass and three-show (10% discount) packages at tinyurl.com/threeshowseasonpass. For additional ticket information, patrons may contact the main office at 715-735-4301 during UW Green Bay-Marinette Campus business hours.

Rehearsal for Mamma Mia!

Rehearsal for Mamma Mia!

Rehearsal for Mamma Mia!