A new production of Mamma Mia! is coming to Artscape Opera House in Cape Town from Thursday 3 September to Sunday 11 October, followed by a run at Teatro Montecasino in Johannesburg from Friday 16 October to Sunday 22 November.

The production features Amra-Faye Wright, who played Velma Kelly in Chicago the Musical on Broadway for 23 years, as Donna Sheridan.

Samantha Peo joins as Donna’s friend Tanya, reuniting with Wright from the 2005 and 2008 South African productions of Chicago. Cape Town audiences will know Peo from The Addams Family: the Musical and A Little Night Music. Lindy Abromowitz Sachs completes the Donna and the Dynamos trio as Rosie, with credits including Kinky Boots, Grease and The Sound of Music.

Leah Mari plays Sophie Sheridan, having recently shared the lead role of Maria in My Fair Lady and originated the role of Vivian Ward in the South African production of Pretty Woman: the Musical.

Jordan Rogers and Michelle Juncker, both from Pretty Woman, play Sophie’s friends Ali and Lisa. The ensemble includes Jemma-Claire Weil, Angelica Hattingh, Yethu Kibi, Nicolette Fernandes, Liyabuya Gongo, Shannyn Fourie, Tshego da Silva and dance captain Claire Boswell.

The musical is written by Catherine Johnson and produced by Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management. As in the 2024 production of Mamma Mia!, distinguished director Janice Honeyman is at the helm.

ALSO READ: Mamma Mia Musical returns to SA in September featuring Broadway veteran

ABBA hits

This “feel-good-show” features timeless ABBA songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, including crowd favorites “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, “Dancing Queen”, “I Have a Dream” and “Voulez Vous”.

“Mamma Mia! is such a celebration of fantastic, strong women,” says Feldman. “As we honour the legacy of South Africa’s female leaders, innovators and heroes this August, we look forward to partying with our favourite characters next month!”

Tickets are available at Showtime.co.za or Ticketmaster.co.za. Reduced prices apply on selected Tuesdays. Contact sales@showtime.co.za for group tickets (20+).

WIN! WIN! WIN!

Two readers can each win a set of four tickets to see Mamma Mia! at Artscape on Thursday 3 September at 19:30. Maximum five entries per entrant allowed. This competition will close on Thursday 27 August at 16:00.