Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas has announced Mamma Mia! will be the award-winning theatre organization’s flagship production for the 2016 season.
The production will play at the Drayton Festival Theatre, Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, Huron Country Playhouse and King’s Wharf Theatre.
Drayton Entertainment is one of several regional theatre companies throughout North America granted the rights to the coveted hit musical, states a July 17 press release from the company.
The coup is the result of Mustakas trying for the last decade to secure what is arguably considered the world’s most highly sought-after theatre production, which finishes its epic 14-year run on Broadway in September.
“Mamma Mia! is going to be a landmark production for our organization and is certainly one of the most prestigious productions to ever take centre stage,” said Mustakas. “We are excited to have the opportunity to produce our own version of this iconic musical and share it with enthusiastic audiences throughout the province.”
Mustakas made similar waves throughout the theatre industry in 2013 when he secured the rights to premiere the first regional production of Disney’s Mary Poppins, which he followed up in 2014 with Les Misérables and Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
“We are thrilled that Drayton Entertainment has been chosen as one of the first companies in Canada to produce Mamma Mia!,” said John Green, president of Drayton Entertainment’s board of directors. “The show has universal appeal – it’s fun and upbeat and sure to entertain audiences of all ages. It also has the necessary popularity to attract bus tours, day trippers, and overnight travellers, which will bolster tourism in the areas immediately servicing and surrounding our theatres.”
The production is a bona fide global phenomenon, seen by over 54 million people around the world. The original West End production is now in its 16th year and has celebrated over 6,000 performances in London. The international tour has visited more than 74 foreign cities in 35 countries, thrilling over 4.3 million fans.
The blockbuster feature film adaptation of Mamma Mia! starring Meryl Streep is the most successful movie musical of all time, grossing over $600 million worldwide.
Employing the chart-topping catalogue of Swedish super-group ABBA, Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family.
The 2016 performance schedule will be announced at a later date. Tickets for Mamma Mia!, as well as the other 2016 shows, will go on sale to members of Drayton Entertainment this fall. To become a member call 1-855-372-9866.
