AU’s ‘Mamma Mia!’ slated for Valentine’s Day opening

Ashland University theater continues its 2019-20 season of “Stories of Courage” with the musical, “Mamma Mia!,” featuring ABBA’s greatest hits, opening on Valentine’s Day with 7:30 p.m. performances on Feb. 14, 15, 21 and 22 and a Sunday matinee on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Hugo Young Theatre.

Directed by associate professor of theater Dr. Teresa Durbin-Ames with music direction by Deborah Logan, the show uses the storytelling of ABBA’s timeless songs of love, laughter and friendship. This story unfolds on a Greek island on the eve of Sophie Sheridan’s wedding. She is on a quest to discover the identity of her father and brings three men — Harry, Bill and Sam — to the island. They last visited the island 20 years ago with Sophie’s mother, Donna.

Donna’s friends and fellow singers from their former group called the Dynamos — Tanya and Rosie — reflect on their younger days in the 1970s. By contrast Sophie, her fiance Sky and the other 20-year-olds from the 1990s pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Other cast members include Bethany Double, Jenny Fleck, Sarah Graham, AnnMarie Hill, Lila Wolfe, Luke Martin, Matt Plumb and Hayley Thacker.

With theater credits strewn from New York City to Cleveland and Wooster’s Ohio Light Opera, the show’s designers include guest artists Kiah Kayser, scenic designer; AU alumnus D. Justin Bilewicz III, costume designer; Daniel Huston, lighting designer; and Richard Ingraham, sound designer. Katie Gibson is the show’s choreographer.

Production staff members are David Steinmetz, technical director; Bilewicz III, costume studio manager; Nicholas Tipper, master carpenter; Maya Rickard (Wooster), scenic artist; Ivey Buffenmyer, dramaturg; Alejandro Ridolfi, stage manager; and Tyler Rice and Ashli Lucio, assistant stage managers.

Patrons attending the opening-night performance are invited to the opening-night reception with the cast and crew immediately following the performance.

Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for senior citizens, AU faculty, staff and alumni; $8 for groups of 10 or more; $5 for non-AU students; and $2 for Ashland University students with ID.

To purchase tickets, call the Ashland University box office at 419-289-5125 Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. or purchase online at www.ashland.edu/tickets.

For more information about the department of theater, go to www.ashland.edu/theatre or www.facebook.com/AshlandUniversityTheatre.