‘Mamma Mia!’ up next at Wright State University
Attention dancing queens! Wright State University presents the global mega-hit musical “Mamma Mia!” Oct. 29-Nov. 14 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center.
Set on a tiny Greek island, the feel-good “Mamma Mia!” centers on Sophie, a young woman longing to know who her real father is on the eve of her wedding. While Sophie plays detective, her mother, Donna, a former pop singer-turned-tavern owner, enthusiastically reunites with her former bandmates and ultimately begins to renew her friendship with the three men who might be Sophie’s father.
This lighthearted story is accented by more than 20 hits from ABBA, the 1970s Swedish pop sensations. Songs include “Money, Money, Money,” “The Name of the Game,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and the title song.
Delayed for 18 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the production will feature direction and choreography by Greg Hellems (“A Little
Night Music,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”) with music direction by F. Wade Russo, scenic design by department chair Pam Knauert Lavarnway, lighting design by Matthew Benjamin and costumes by Michele Sampson.
“In 2020, just nine days before its scheduled opening, this production was shut down due to nationwide COVID lockdowns,” said WSU artistic director Joe Deer, in a release. “The set and costumes sat onstage and in our shops for 18 months, while most of the cast and crew graduated. Now, with an almost entirely new company,
revamped scenery and costumes and an incredible sense of excitement and anticipation, ‘Mamma Mia! is going to blow the roof off the Festival Playhouse.”
The principal roles of Sophie and Donna will be respectively portrayed by Sarah Green and Sophie Hardy.
“It is so reinvigorating to be back in the rehearsal room with my peers and continue telling this story,” Green said, in a release. “I am overjoyed to finally be able to open this show. It is truly the perfect time. There is a heartfelt joy that radiates throughout
this musical.”
“I just love the energy of the whole thing,” added Hardy, who was a part of the 2020 cast. “Audiences can definitely expect a party. We’re here to have a good time and to get the audience to have a good time.”
Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and $15 for students. For tickets, call 937-775-2500 or visit wright.edu/theatre.
Per university guidelines, all audiences, students, faculty and staff are required to wear masks while in the Creative Arts Center.
Registration opens for ‘Rike’s Holiday Windows Spectacular!’
Dayton Live is offering an opportunity for students to learn and perform this holiday season in an original show titled “Rike’s Holiday Windows Spectacular!”
In celebration of the Rike’s Department Store Holiday Windows, favorite windows will come to life as students learn music, dialogue and unique holiday traditions. Participants will then perform the show in the PNC Arts Annex.
Previous theater experience not necessary, but all participants must commit to the class/rehearsal schedule. The final week is a tech week for the production, and more class days will be added for that week.
Class costs $150 per student. Slated for Oct. 26-Dec. 4, the class will meet every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the PNC Arts Annex.
For more information or to register, visit daytonlive.org.
Dayton Live cancels ‘Grimmz Fairy Tales’
Due to COVID-19, Dayton Live has canceled the performances of “Grimmz Fairy Tales” and “Sensory-Friendly Grimmz Fairy Tales” originally scheduled for Nov. 6-7. Dayton Live says it will bring the production back to the Victoria Theatre in a future season. For more information, call 937-2283630 or visit daytonlive. org.
Oxford Community Arts Center celebrates 20th anniversary
The Oxford Community Arts Center celebrates its 20th anniversary with a garden party and open house Friday, Oct. 29, from 6-9 p.m. All activities will take place in the west gardens with food trucks, beverages and entertainment. A short celebration program will be held at 7 p.m. The OCAC is located at 10 S. College Ave., Oxford.
Muse Machine selects ‘Addams Family’ as winter musical
Muse Machine will present “The Addams Family” Jan. 14-16, 2022, at the Victoria Theatre. Based on characters created by Charles Addams, the show features music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Tickets for the Muse’s 37th student musical will go on sale in mid-November. For more information, visit musemachine.com.