By Andrew Gans
02 Jul 2009

"Mamma Mia!" stars Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep
photo by Peter Mountain © Universal Pictures

Universal CityWalk's Summer Block Party — a free summer marathon of music and movies — kicks off July 2 with a screening of the international hit film "Mamma Mia!," which is based on the musical of the same name.

The evening at Universal CityWalk @ Cinema Plaza Stage will begin at 7:30 PM with an ABBA sing-along. The "Mamma Mia!" screening on the large outdoor screen on Cinema Plaza is scheduled for 8 PM.

The summer marathon, which runs through Aug. 30, will include top tribute band concert performances, the free outdoor movie nights, swing dance lessons and talent competitions. For more information visit www.CityWalkHollywood.com.

The "Mamma Mia!" film cast boasts Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgard and Dominic Cooper. The film was directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who helmed both the London and Broadway mountings of Mamma Mia!

The show and film feature music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Since the original London production opened in 1999, the musical has grossed over $2 billion worldwide.

The film, according to the Universal Pictures website, is described as such: "An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna (Streep) is about to let go of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), the spirited daughter she's raised alone. For Sophie's wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends-practical and no-nonsense Rosie (Julie Walters) and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya (Christine Baranski)-from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.

"On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities."

Universal CityWalk @ Cinema Plaza Stage is located at 1000 Universal City Plaza in Universal City, CA.