ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- The Clemens Center is two days away from opening the smash hit Broadway musical "Mamma Mia!" Timeless songs have played for theatre-goers worldwide since the musical premiered in London in 1999. Two years later in 2001, the show based on ABBA songs came to Broadway where it played for a record-breaking 14 years.
"This is going to be our first two performances of the 25th Anniversary Mamma Mia National Tour," explains Emily Croft, ensemble cast member for Mamma Mia!
In addition to being a part of the Mamma Mia! ensemble, Croft is also the understudy for Donna and Rosie; she has had to master many lines, songs, and choreography.
The popularity of the show has only grown since the 2008 film starring Meryl Streep. Mamma Mia is a story about Sophie learning she has three potential father figures. After a decade of not being on the big screen, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," hit movie theatres in 2018.
In theatre terms, the show coming to Elmira's Clemens Center is like a tech-rehearsal performance. The show will go through from start to finish without a hitch; this helps the cast and crew take notes to make any adjustments prior to the musical's opening night in November.
"On Thursday,{October 26th and Friday, October 27th} you're gonna see pretty much, it's called a preview performance, so it's not quite a finished product, but it's well on its way and then we will officially open in Denver next week," says Croft.
WENY's reporter Max Coven asked Croft, when do you make {her} first appearance in the musical? Croft told Coven, that she appears early on during Act I during the number "Money Money Money"
"I will be the first Greek villager through the double blue doors that you'll see that makeup Donna's courtyard. About a couple of minutes in or a couple of seconds into the song, I burst through there with my little dust rag, and, we sing Money, Money, Money with Donna," said Croft.
As an ensemble cast member, Croft explains her favorite scene is with Dynamos and Sophie's friend unite for an unforgettable number.
In the history of Mamma Mia! 50 productions in 16 different languages, nothing comes together overnight. The cast and crew work hand in hand until the bows at the end of the musical. Croft shared, that rehearsal runs six days a week for eight hours a day; which is more than the average 40-hour work week for most professions
The main message of the Greek island paradise sunny and funny tale: "Have fun. There are so many things in this world that can really bring us down, and Mamma Mia is certainly not one of them. It is a show that is just, you can't help but leave with a huge smile on your face," says Croft.
Elmira's two-night production is sold out, but the production is on tour until August, 2024. Croft and the whole cast look forward to performing ahead of their full tour. For more about Emily Croft click here.
The Clemens Center is located at 207 Clemens Center Pkwy, Elmira, NY 14901.