Aurora Theatre, which has brought professional dramatics to Gwinnett County since 1996, announced the showstopper for its 2017-2018 season, and it’s a pop music confection.
"Mamma Mia!," the musical dedicated to the infectious hits of the Swedish supergroup ABBA, will cap the Lawrenceville theater's new season, with performances March 8-April 22, 2018.
"Mamma Mia!" ran for 14 years on Broadway and has toured in more than 50 countries. A "farewell" touring production of the musical just wrapped up a six-day run at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, June 18.
“Mamma Mia!” fever is still strong enough for a movie sequel:
Aurora’s staging of “Mamma Mia!” will be the first local production of the Broadway smash, according to the theater company. Aurora teased that it would mount a “blockbuster” production in the spring of 2018, but kept the title under wraps until Monday night.
The theater company plans a lavish presentation. The show will be more expensive than all of Aurora's big-budget shows, including "Les Mis," "In the Heights" and "Mary Poppins."
Here are the other shows in Aurora’s 2017-2018 Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series:
‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’
July 20-Aug. 27, 2017: Based on the Victor Hugo novel, the show includes songs from the Disney film, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. This presentation is a co-production of Aurora Theatre and Theatrical Outfit. It will appear first at the Gwinnett theater, then move to the downtown theater for performances Sept. 7-17.
‘Abigail/1702’
Sept. 21- Oct. 15, 2017: This sequel to "The Crucible," written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, takes place 10 years after the famous Salem witch trials. The accuser from the earlier drama must face plague, pirates and other challenges to earn forgiveness.
‘Christmas Canteen 2017’
Nov. 16-Dec. 23, 2017: Gwinnett’s longest-running theatrical holiday tradition, “Christmas Canteen” returns for its 22nd year. Expect songs of the season, sketch comedy and a little nostalgia.
‘Maytag Virgin’
Jan. 11-Feb. 11, 2018: Playwright Audrey Cefaly has brought to life the story of Lizzy Nash, a widow in rural Alabama, whose peculiar next-door neighbor, Jack Key, plays a role in her recovery from sorrow.
‘Ripcord’
May 10-June 3, 2018: Described as “The Odd Couple” meets “The Golden Girls,” this comedy by David Lindsay-Abaire takes place at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility, where two residents, Abby and Marilyn, square off.
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The Aurora Theatre is housed in a 100-year-old church, which was retrofitted through a partnership between city government, private development and a nonprofit organization.
The $7.5 million theater complex opened in 2007. Aurora hosts more than 600 events annually, bringing 70,000 visitors to the facility each year.
It is Gwinnett County’s only professional theater company, and one of the fastest-growing theaters in the state.
Ticket prices and showtimes will vary. For more information, go to www.auroratheatre.com/.
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