Fans of the hit Hollywood blockbuster Mamma Mia! are in for a treat as the theatre adaptation of the hot movie returns to local shores later this year.

The production features a cast that raises the bar on musical theatre, led by the iconic Amra-Faye Wright as Donna Sheridan, who is best known her role as Velma Kelly in Chicago The Musical.

South African-born Wright has worked internationally for 30 years, appearing in Chicago The Musical on Broadway, in London’s West End, through Europe, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and the concert version with the San Diego Symphony. Her other musical theatre credits include Follies, A Chorus Line, Grease, Footloose, Peter Pan, Nunsense, Elvis Las Vegas and Butterflies.

Resident in New York, Wright also spends part of the year at her home in McGregor in the Western Cape, and is thrilled to be back performing on the South African stage.

Several other major musical theatre luminaries occupy lead roles in Mamma Mia! Samantha Peo stars as Tanya, Lindy Abromowitz as Rosie, Paul du Toit as Sam Carmichael, Tiaan Rautenbach reprises his role as Bill Austin, Matt Newman is back to reprise the role of Harry Bright, and, in the pivotal role of Sophie Sheridan is Leah Mari.

Written by Catherine Johnson, Mamma Mia! is the enchanting tale of family and friendship that unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the evening of her wedding, daughter and bride-to-be Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past back to the island they visited 20 years ago in the hope of discovering which one is her father.

This major international “guaranteed feel-good musical” features the timeless ABBA songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, including “Knowing Me, Knowing You”; “Dancing Queen”; “I Have A Dream”; “Voulez Vous” and many more. It’s a story of love laughter and friendship, a wedding and a party!

“Mamma Mia! is a gift that keeps on giving,” says Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management. “ABBA’s music is timeless and the story is fun and upbeat, and – with such an incredible cast and creative team in place for this production, we know South African audiences are guaranteed a great feel-good show.”

• Book your tickets at www.showtime.co.za or www.ticketmaster.co.za for a show filled with sensational music, a sublime cast and happy vibes – musical entertainment for the whole family with a broad appeal to all ages.