The Kavinoky Theatre, a professional theatre on the campus of D’Youville College, continues its 38th season with Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia! (story by Catherine Johnson).
Director/Choreographer Lynne Kurdziel Formato returns to direct after the Curtain Up! popular hit musical The Producers. Mamma Mia! is the international smash hit ABBA musical about a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father on the eve of her wedding. She brings back three men from her mother’s past, with the story told through the songs of ABBA.
The Kavinoky will be incorporating a new scenic element into the production: LED “curtains” made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, with funds from its J. Warren Perry and Charles Donald Perry Memorial Fund. These light-emitting panels have the capability of displaying photo-realistic computer-generated images or video anywhere on the stage. The Kavinoky is the first theatre in WNY to use this LED screen technology to enhance its already award-winning scenic designs. From crashing waves on the beach to disco lighting, this new audience experience will be a highlight of this record-breaking ABBA musical.
The Kavinoky has assembled a cast of some of Buffalo’s best musical theatre talent. The cast includes Debbie Pappas Sham, Lisa Ludwig, Loraine O’Donnell, Arianne Davidow, Peter Palmisano, Matt Witten, Doug Weyand, Alexandria Watts, Sara Marioles, William Hin, Patrick Coleman, Grant Paylor, Bobby Cooke, Arin Dandes, Jared Cutler, Kelly Copps, Lucas Denies, Kevin Donahue, Kelly Geiger-Cammarata, Lisa Kaemmerlen, Cassidy Kreuzer, Matt Mooney and Sean Murphy.
Performances for this four-week engagement (Jan. 5-28) will take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The gala opening night performance will be held on Friday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and includes a catered wine reception with the cast following the performance. Tickets are $42, with discounts available to seniors, students, military and groups. For tickets, please call 829-7668 or visit kavinokytheatre.com.