OAKLAND — The popular musical “Mamma Mia!” comes to the Woodminster Amphitheater in the Oakland hills beginning July 6, when it will be staged for the first time at a Bay Area regional theater.
The musical also kicks off the 51st season that Producers Associates is presenting the Woodminster Summer Musicals.
The show, first performed in London in 1999 and later made into a movie starring Meryl Streep, features hit songs by the Swedish pop group ABBA, such as “Dancing Queen,” “Gimme Gimme Gimme,” “Super Trouper,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “SOS.” It tells the story of a young woman, Sophie, who wants to discover the identity of her father before she marries.
“Mamma Mia!” is “a really lighthearted show, and it’s going to be a very fun way to start the season,” said director Joel Schlader, an Alameda resident. “The music is so upbeat and infectious that even people who aren’t ABBA fans and don’t have a fond memory of disco music will dance their way out of the theater.”
The leading role of Donna (Sophie’s mother) will be played by Joy Sherratt of Pleasanton, who also is a co-founder of the Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre and a native of Alameda. Amanda Farbstein of San Mateo performs as Sophie. Donna’s best friends in the show, Tanya and Rosie, are played by Leandra Ramm of Pittsburg and Krista Wigle of San Francisco, respectively.
Romar De Claro of Livermore performs as Sophie’s fiancé Sky. The roles of the three men who could be Sophie’s father are played by Geoffrey Blaisdell of San Rafael, Dwight Mahabir of Ceres, and Robert Moorhead of the Montclair district of the Oakland hills. Moorhead has appeared in many Woodminster Summer Musicals and used to teach theater at Encinal High School in Alameda.
“I’m enjoying the role,” said Moorhead, whose son Zach is in the ensemble. “The music in it is so different from what I’ve sung in more traditional musicals at Woodminster. I’ve heard the show is immensely popular, and ticket sales are going through the roof.”
The show’s musical director is Daniel Thomas, who also is an executive director of San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon theater group. Choreography for the show is led by Jody Jaron, director of the School of the Garden State Ballet in New Jersey.
“The story is very funny and appealing, and even has something to say about generations in families, especially mothers and daughters,” Schlader explained.
Other shows being presented at Woodminster this summer are Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” from Aug. 3-13 and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” from Aug. 31-Sept. 10.
Adult tickets for the summer musicals range from $31 to $64, with a $2 discount for seniors. All tickets for the final dress rehearsal (such as on July 6) are $20, and Oakland residents can buy tickets at about half price on opening night, which is July 7 for “Mamma Mia!” Young adults get discounts, as do children, who also may receive free tickets. See www.woodminster.com or call Info: 510-531-9597 for details.
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IF YOU GO
What: “Mamma Mia!”
When: 8 p.m. July 6-9, 13-16
Where: Woodminster Amphitheater, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road., Oakland
Cost: $20 (July 6), $29-$64 adults; kids $10-$18 or free (other nights)
Information: 510-531-9597 or www.woodminster.com
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