Mamma Mia! Laguna Playhouse Launches 99th Season With Musical

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Laguna Playhouse announced its first show of its 99th season with the romantic comedy, ABBA’s "MAMMA MIA!" with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Some songs with Stig Anderson, book by Catherine Johnson, originally conceived by Judy Craymer with musical direction by Ricky Pope and directed & choreographed by Karen Babcock Brassea.

"We start our 99thseason with one of the all-time great feel-good musicals, MAMMA MIA!" according to Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Executive Director Ellen Richard. "Our subscribers and audiences are going to be dancing queens and kings all summer long with this irresistible and euphoric new production!"

MAMMA MIA! begins previews on Friday, July 5; will open on Sunday, July 7 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, July 28, 2019 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

Get swept away by the infectious music, uplifting story, and dazzling dance numbers that have made MAMMA MIA! a worldwide phenomenon.

As wedding festivities commence on an idyllic Greek island, a young bride-to-be schemes to discover the identity of her father among three men from her mother’s past.

With so many of ABBA’s timeless hits, including "Dancing Queen," 'Take a Chance," "Money, Money, Money," and "SOS," this story of love and friendship is an unforgettable musical experience that will leave you dancing in the aisles!

About the Cast:

KAREN BABCOCK BRASSEA (Director/Choreographer) is excited to work with the artists and staff at the Laguna Playhouse this summer doing Mamma Mia! She has roots as a performer on Broadway, the West End, Japan, and Austria as well as touring the United States extensively. She has been a member of Actors Equity Association since 1980 and a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1982.

As a natural progression from performing professionally, Karen branched into directing, choreographing and teaching and has done so, first as a free-lance professional since 2001. She has many regional, international and academic directing and choreographic credits, both musicals and straight plays, several of which have won awards.

Karen holds an MFA in directing from Mason Gross School of the Arts/Rutgers and a BFA in drama (musical theatre option) from Carnegie Mellon University from which she graduated with honors. She is presently beginning her fifth year as an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts (and Dance!), Director and Choreographer at Kansas Wesleyan University.

The Cast of MAMMA MIA! will feature: MaryAnn Carlisle as "Donna Sheridan," McKenna Wells as "Sophie Sheridan," David Šášik as "Sky," Jonathan Van Dyke as "Sam Carmichael," Daniel Berlin as "Harry Bright," Daryl J. Roth as "Bill Austin," Sophia Swannell as "Tanya," Dwan Hayes as "Rosie," Kristen Daniels as "Ali," Aubrie Knapp as "Lisa," Zain Patel as "Pepper," Nick Nazarro as "Eddie" and Jared Ryan Kaitz as "Father Alexandrios."

The Ensemble will feature: Sam Buchanan, Tanner Frisbey, Jayden Goodman, Jared Ryan Kaitz, Eleni Kutay, Lizzie Menzies, Johann Santiago Santos and Katherine Westrum.

About the Show

MAMMA MIA! will begin previews on Friday, July 5; will open on Sunday, July 7 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, July 28, 2019. Performances will be Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m.& 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 1 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.

There will be added performances on Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 18 & Thursday, July 25 at 2 p.m.. There will be Talk-Backs following the performances on Saturday, July 13 at p.m. and Thursday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $65 - $105 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229. Prices subject to change.

The box office is open Mondays – Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.(open until showtime on all performance days).

For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

The Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.