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“Mamma mia. Here we go again.”
The song lyrics match the fact that Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre is reopening after the pandemic with a repeat of its last production, the fun musical “Mamma Mia!”
The company ended its 2019-20 season that January before the pandemic with rave reviews from the audience, and the upbeat musical seemed the perfect way to now celebrate the fact that Tri-Valley Rep is back onstage with a new season.
“Mamma Mia!” — ABBA’s greatest hits turned into a stage musical — tells of a young woman’s quest to discover which of her free-spirit mother’s three former boyfriends is her father. She invites all three to her wedding, figuring that when she discovers which is her dad, he can walk her down the aisle. It takes place at the mother’s tavern on a glorious Greek island, adding to the fun and adventure.
The production is new although many cast and crew members are returning, said director Brian Olkowski. Producer is Kathleen Breedveld; vocal director, Sierra Dee Rankin; choreographer, Meghan Hornbacker.
The production in January 2020 set records as the most successful show in Tri-Valley Rep’s history.
“It’s going to be very similar but it will have a life of its own,” Olkowski said.
Annmarie Macry stars as Donna Sheridan, Melissa Momboisse as Sophie Sheridan, as well as Lisa Appleyard (Tanya); Rachelle King (Rosie); Robert Lopez (Sam Carmichael); Matthew Kelly (Harry Bright); Mike Freeman (Bill Austin); Tony Rodriguez (Sky); Jessie Anne Lukban (Ali); Jasmine Reyes (Lisa); Elijah Maravilla (Pepper); Leo Diaz (Eddie) and Gwynn Cristobal (F. Alexandrios).
Ensemble members are Jonny Banuelos, Alise Bradford, Daelyn Cerruti, JD Cerruti, Michelle Freschi, Julian Hensley, Kyle Herrera, Meghan Hornbacker, Emma Kelly and Amanda Ross.
“Tri-Valley Rep seems to attract great people, who are talented plus fun to work with,” Olkowski said. “We’re excited to be back, and we want to share this fun with the audience.”
The musical premiered in London’s West End in 1999 and went on to open on Broadway in 2001. After the London opening, one reviewer wrote, “‘Mamma Mia!’ could put Prozac out of business.”
“Mamma Mia!” runs Nov. 12-21 at the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore, with performances at 8 p.m., Fridays, Nov. 12 and 19, and Saturday, Nov. 13; and at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, and Sundays, Nov. 14 and 21.
Purchase tickets at www.livermorearts.org or call 373-6800.
Beginning Oct. 1, the Bankhead Theater requires patrons to show proof of vaccination as they enter the lobby, and everyone is required to wear masks.
