Mamma Mia! is the mother of all musicals these days and begins the longest run of any Chemainus Theatre Festival production in history Friday, May 24 with the first of 100 performances.

ItB次元官网网址檚 also destined to be the theatreB次元官网网址檚 all-time best seller, as the buzz about this show continues to build in advance of the opening.

Michelle Vogelgesang, the theatreB次元官网网址檚 marketing and sales director, said the show was almost 50 per cent sold as of last week. Blocks of tickets were suddenly being purchased, as people made sure to secure preferred dates between now and the finale on Aug. 31.

B次元官网网址淟ots of excitement,B次元官网网址� said Vogelgesang. B次元官网网址淚 think tickets will go fast.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 do feel like IB次元官网网址檓 stepping into a show that has already inherent energy about it,B次元官网网址� said hometown Chemainus actress Erin Ormond, who plays the role of Tonya.

B次元官网网址淧eople really identify with these characters. I feel like weB次元官网网址檙e creating something exciting. It felt like a party. EverybodyB次元官网网址檚 so joyous and happy - ready to go and ready to work.B次元官网网址�

Rehearsals started on April 29 and itB次元官网网址檚 been a fast track to the opening for the cast and the behind-the-scenes crew.

The award-winning story of Mamma Mia! is magnified by the songs of ABBA, composed by former members of the band, Benny Andersson and Bj枚rn Ulvaeus.

Mamma Mia! tells the story of Donna (Stephanie Roth), an independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on a beautiful Greek island. She is about to let go of spirited daughter Sophie, whom sheB次元官网网址檚 raised alone.

For SophieB次元官网网址檚 (Alex Gullason) wedding, Donna has invited two lifelong best girlfriends - practical and no-nonsense Rosie (Jenni Burke) and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tonya (Ormond) - from her one-time backup band, Donna and the Dynamos.

Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own. On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from DonnaB次元官网网址檚 past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier.

New love blooms and old romances rekindled over the course of 24 chaotic and magical hours on a lush island full of possibilities. The show is packed with the magic of ABBAB次元官网网址檚 many well-known hit songs that donB次元官网网址檛 need any introduction such as Super Trouper; Dancing Queen; Knowing Me, Knowing You; Take a Chance on Me; Money, Money, Money; The Winner Takes It All; and SOS.

Ormond said itB次元官网网址檚 her first time working with Burke, but sheB次元官网网址檚 seen her on stage before. The three women have found instant chemistry in their roles.

B次元官网网址淚 knew stepping in, these are some fantastic women IB次元官网网址檓 going to be working with,B次元官网网址� said Ormond.

Despite her abundant stage experience, Ormond said itB次元官网网址檚 been at least 20 years since sheB次元官网网址檚 done a singing role.

B次元官网网址淭his is huge,B次元官网网址� she indicated. B次元官网网址淭o come and do a summer musical of this scale is a huge gift.

B次元官网网址淭he talent, IB次元官网网址檓 in awe as I hear them sing and dance and how they put it together.B次元官网网址�

Ormond gives huge kudos to the stage, lighting, costume and directing personnel for their work on the production.

ABBA music is one element that strikes a chord for Ormond with her dad, whoB次元官网网址檚 deceased, from their past.

B次元官网网址淚 would sit and listen to the records over and over,B次元官网网址� she conceded. B次元官网网址淢y dadB次元官网网址檚 favourite song was Fernando. Being part of the show has another whole layer for me. That was one of my connections with my dad.

B次元官网网址淭he other part about the music, I find, itB次元官网网址檚 deceivingly simple. ThereB次元官网网址檚 this infused sense of joy every time we start singing the songs.B次元官网网址�

Getting everybody moving and having a good time is what itB次元官网网址檚 all about.

B次元官网网址淪tephanie said by the time you start doing the show, everybodyB次元官网网址檚 in a good mood,B次元官网网址� added Ormond.

Playing Tonya has been enlightening in so many ways.

B次元官网网址淔or me, itB次元官网网址檚 very real the relationship between the women,B次元官网网址� Ormond explained. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all in different places in their lives.B次元官网网址�

For her character, B次元官网网址渟heB次元官网网址檚 finding herself again. I think that connection with her youth reminds her of that part of herself, strong and free.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 going to be an extremely busy several months for Ormond. She steps right into the production of Mrs. WarrenB次元官网网址檚 Profession, running Sept. 13-Oct. 5, overlapping rehearsal time while Mamma Mia! is still on stage.