NewsThank You for the Music: Mamma Mia! Ends Broadway Run TonightIt’s the last dance for the "Dancing Queen": Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' international hit musical Mamma Mia! plays its 5,773rd and final Broadway performance 6:30 PM Sept. 12 at the Broadhurst Theatre.
By
Andrew Gans
September 12, 2015
Mamma Mia! closes as the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history. It premiered Oct. 18, 2001, at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it continued through Oct. 19, 2013. The production then transferred to its current home, the Broadhurst, on Nov. 2, 2013. In its various productions the show has grossed a reported $2 billion worldwide.
Final cast leads: John Hemphill, Mary Callanan, Judy McLane, Victor Wallace, Alison Ewing and Paul DeBoy
Photo by Ron Glow
Louise Pitre, who created the role of Donna Sheridan, earning a Tony nomination for her performance, recently told Playbill.com, "I have countless memories but #1 has to be the overwhelming response we got during previews. It was so soon after 9/11, and I was not ready for the reaction. I would come out at the stage door and be hugged, kissed, thanked by crying, appreciative fans who kept saying: 'Thank you for giving us two-and-a-half hours of joy and allowing us to forget!!!!' It was a heightened and special time. I have never felt so loved as a performer."
Judy McLane, who now plays Donna after several years of portraying Tanya, added, "After 11 years, there are so many [memories]. For the 10th anniversary, we performed the finale outside on a stage, in the middle of Broadway, with fireworks going off on top of the theatre. That was pretty exhilarating! And, of course, all backstage shenanigans, such as Christmas-door decorating competitions, in-house Olympics, 'Da Mamma Code' quests and horoscope club! They were ridiculously fun!"
Alerting Mamma Mia! Fans! We Say Farewell With These Truly Unbelievable Rarely-Seen Backstage Pics From 14 Years of Fun
Alerting Mamma Mia! Fans! We Say Farewell With These Truly Unbelievable Rarely-Seen Backstage Pics From 14 Years of Fun
Mamma Mia! has entered the final days of its historic run on Broadway. As we prepare to wish the show a fond farewell, Playbill.com has compiled a treasure trove of incredible backstage and candid shots spanning all 14 years of ABBA fun. Enjoy! Dynamos, Dads and other members of the family... you will be missed!
82 PHOTOS
CBS THIS MORNING with many of the original cast in 2002
BCEFA Easter Bonnet: our tribute to the SPICE GIRLS musical
Natalie Bradshaw and Deanna Aguinaga healing and hanging backstage!
Original cast members Hollie Howard, Adam Monley and Chris Prinzo in our first GYPSY OF THE YEAR salute to Cats in our new home, The Winter Garden Theatre.
CBS THIS MORNING featuring Karen Mason, Louise Pitre and Judy Kaye, the original Dynamos.
Filming the commercial, 2004.
Samantha Eggers, Collette Simmons, and Lanene Charters enjoying The Naked Cowboy at a BC/EFA Easter Bonnet Competition.
Mamma Mia! Dads Graham Rowat, Aaron Lazar and Daniel Cooney support leading lady Judy McLane
Carey Anderson and her likeness as she prepared to leave for Avenue Q!
Blake Whyte, Gerard Salvador, Zak Resnick, Andrew Chappelle, Paul Miller, Mark Dancewicz and Jon-Erik Goldberg.
Mamma Mia! Olympics!
Amanda Seyfried and Carey Anderson at the movie premiere.
Zak Resnick and Laurie Veldheer
The Today Show!
Ben Livingston, Judy McLane, Christopher Shyer, Carolee Carmello, Pearce Bunting and Gina Ferrell.
Judy McLane, Lisa Brescia and Jen Perry
Corey Greenan, Catherine Ricafort, Andrew Chappelle
Liana Hunt signs the map of Greece, a company tradition when you leave the show.
Allison Briner and Felicity Claire intensely watching the MAMMA MIA! OLYMPICS
Liana Hunt reunites with her tour Mom, Michelle Dawson.
Filming the Thanksgiving Day Parade 2002.
Opening Night Gypsy Robe presentation to Bill Carmichael!
BC/EFA GYPSY rehearsal.
Aaron Staton: Happy Trails
10th Anniversary at the Winter Garden Theatre
Allison Strong
Andy Kelso and puppet SOPHIE
MAMMA MIA! Bowling Team
Judy Kaye and Louise Pitre
Ben Gettinger and Shakiem Evans
Troy Woodcroft NBA ALL-STAR HALF TIME rehearsal.
BC/EFA GYPSY rehearsal Jen Perry, John Hemphill, David Beach, Jordan Dean
Dynamos Judy McLane, Carolee Carmello and Olga Merediz support Breast Cancer Research Foundation modeling “Rock Chick Supremo” t-shirts
MM! Ladies Sightseeing
Mamma Mia!’s Sophie and Sky Elena Ricardo and Jon Jorgenson launch Thursday Matinees
Broadway and Hollywood meet in Times Square!
Lori Hammel as Donna
Brandi Burkhardt as Sophie
A scene from the 2015 BC/EFA Easter Bonnet competition.
The hit musical had its London premiere April 6, 1999. It is now in its 16th year in the West End. It was adapted as a film in 2008 and grossed more than $144 million in the U.S. alone, currently holding the title of top-grossing musical film ever. A film sequel is reportedly in the works.
With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The production has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.
Mamma Mia! is producer Judy Craymer's vision of writer Johnson's "sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolding on a tiny Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they had last visited 20 years ago," according to press notes.
Songs include "Dancing Queen," "The Winner Takes It All," "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me."
The Broadhurst Theatre is located at 235 West 44th Street. For more information visit mammamianorthamerica.com.
Here are highlights from the musical, as compiled by Playbill Video:
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