AMRA-FAYE WRIGHT RE-UNITES WITH SOUTH AFRICAN AUDIENCES ALONGSIDE A LIST OF MAJOR STARS
MAMMA MIA! comes back to South Africa, guaranteeing singalong satisfaction for fans of ABBA and musical theatre alike! The 2026 production features a cast that raises the bar on almost any piece of musical theatre previously staged in South Africa, led by the iconic Amra-Faye Wright, best known for being the longest-running actress in the role of Velma Kelly in CHICAGO The Musical on Broadway – for 23 years – as Donna Sheridan!
The show, produced by Showtime Management, runs from Thursday, 03 September to Sunday, 11 October 2026 at Artscape in Cape Town and then from Friday, 16 October to end of November 2026 at the Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.co.za.
South African-born Amra-Faye Wright has worked Internationally for 30 years, most notably as Velma Kelly in CHICAGO The Musical on Broadway, in London’s West End, through Europe, Japan (in Japanese!), South Africa, New Zealand and the concert version with the San Diego Symphony. Her other musical theatre credits include Follies, A Chorus Line, Grease, Footloose, Peter Pan, Nunsense, Elvis Las Vegas and Butterflies. She has also been a regular guest artist in the annual Mabel Mercer Foundation’s Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center NY and is a recent graduate of the New York Academy of Art where she obtained an MFA in painting. Resident in New York, Wright also spends part of the year at her home in McGregor in the Western Cape, and is thrilled to be back performing on the South African stage.
Several other major musical theatre luminaries occupy lead roles in MAMMA MIA! 2026. Samantha Peo (Cabaret, Thoroughly Modern Milly, CHICAGO The Musical, The Addams Family: The Musical) stars as Tanya re-uniting with Wright, opposite whom she starred (as Roxie Hart) in perhaps the defining South African version of CHICAGO The Musical in 2005, as well as in revivals in 2008 and 2018. Lindy Abromowitz (Kinky Boots, Grease, The Sound of Music) as Rosie joins Peo and Wright’s characters to form 1970’s all-girl pop band “Donna & the Dynamos”.
Television, stage and small screen actor who appeared in nine seasons of Binnelanders, Paul du Toit (Hedwig & The Angry Inch, The Rocky Horror Show, Into The Woods) returns to the local stage as Sam Carmichael. Tiaan Rautenbach (Pretty Woman: The Musical, We Will Rock You, The Addams Family: The Musical) reprises his role as Bill Austin. Matt Newman (Sweet Phoebe, Betrayal) who has appeared in international television series including The Crown and Outlander is back to reprise the role of Harry Bright. And, in the pivotal role of Sophie Sheridan is Leah Mari (Sound of Music, CHICAGO The Musical), currently winning hearts countrywide as Vivian Ward in PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical.
Supporting roles are played by Jock Kleynhans (Neighbourhood, Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast Pantomime, Twelfth Night) as the bridegroom Sky, and best friends Pepper played by Adriano Carlos (The Little Mermaid, A Chorus Line, and Beauty and the Beast) and Daniel Conradie (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Hairspray) as Eddie. Sophie’s friends Ali and Lisa are played by Jordan Rogers (Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical) and Michelle Juncker (Noises Off, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical).
The ensemble is packed with talent. Jemma-Claire Weil (Judy, No Place Like Home In Concert); Angelica Hattingh (CHICAGO The Musical, My Fair Lady, Peppa Pig Live); Yethu Kibi (Heathers, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Pippin); Nicolette Fernandes (We Will Rock You, CHICAGO The Musical, MAMMA MIA!); Liyabuya Gongo (Thirst, Workers Chant, Swan Lake); Shannyn Fourie (Cabaret, The Mousetrap SA and New Zealand Tour, Showboat UK); Tshego da Silva (Raise Your Voice, Beauty and the Beast) and Dance Captain Claire Boswell (Singin’ in the Rain, West Side Story, We Will Rock You).
Logan James (Private Presley, Under the Streetlight); Bradley Smith (MAMMA MIA!, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat); Dylan du Plessis (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Adventures in Pantoland, Beauty and the Beast); Nkosinathi Mazwai (The Addams Family: The Musical, May I Have this Dance, CHICAGO The Musical); James Mc Phail (A Chorus Line, Fiddler on the Roof, Love! Valour! Compassion!); Kenneth Meyer (Matilda, Ordinary Days, We Will Rock You); Chichi (Cinderella Jr, Sarafina!, CHICAGO The Musical); and Jonathan Raath (Matilda the Musical, CHICAGO The Musical, PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical) complete the ensemble.
Returning members of the creative team include Janice Honeyman (Director), Duane Alexander (Choreographer), Denis Hutchinson (Set & Lighting Design), Alistair Kilbee of Gearhouse Splitbeam (Technical Director), Darren Greeff (Associate Producer plus Resident Director and Choreographer) and Peter Taylor (Company Manager). New additions are David Classen (Sound Design), Birrie le Roux (Costumes), Frances Moerdyk (Wigs) and Daniel Geddes (Music Director).
Written by Catherine Johnson, MAMMA MIA! is the enchanting tale of family and friendship that unfolds on a Greek island paradise. “Lay All Your Love on Me!” On the evening of her wedding, daughter and bride-to-be Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past back to the island they visited 20 years ago in the hope of discovering which one is her father. This major international “guaranteed feel-good musical” features the timeless ABBA songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, including Knowing Me, Knowing You; Dancing Queen; I Have A Dream; Voulez Vous and many more. It’s a story of love laughter and friendship. It’s a wedding, It’s a party!
“MAMMA MIA! is a gift that keeps on giving,” says Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management. “ABBA’s music is timeless and the story is fun and upbeat, and – with such an incredible cast and creative team in place for this production, we know South African audiences are guaranteed a great feel-good show.”
A 20% Early Bird special discount is available for the month of April 2026 across the top two ticket prices valid for Thursday, 03 September and Wednesday 04 September at Artscape and Wednesday, 21 Oct and Thursday 22 October at Montecasino’s Teatro. The “Early Bird” special offer does not apply to any other show discount. T’s and C’s apply.
MAMMA MIA!, with all its sensational music, sublime cast and happy vibes, is musical entertainment for the whole family with a broad appeal to audiences of all ages. Book now at Showtime.co.za or Ticketmaster.co.za. Enjoy reduced ticket prices every Terrific Tuesday, as well as discounted group bookings on groups of 20+ tickets available via sales@showtime.co.za. Ticketmaster is the ONLY official exclusive ticketing agent and tickets should not be purchased from any other supplier or outlets. #mammamiaSA