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Mamma Mia! Is here at the Walnut Street Theatre

The musical features some of ABBA’s biggest hits, such as “Souper Trouper,” “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Dancing Queen.”

Billy1: Billy D. Hart (far right), Lyn Philistine, Brett-Marco Glauser and the cast of Mamma Mia! at the Walnut Street Theatre. Photo by Mark Garvin.

From now until July 22, the Walnut Street Theatre is showcasing Mamma Mia!, a play that exhibits the music of Swedish dance-pop group ABBA. The story follows 20-year-old Sophie’s quest to find her real father so he can walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Sophie looks through her mother’s old diary to find that she had intimate relations with three men. Thinking one of these men must be her father, she invites all three to the wedding in hopes that one of them will be revealed to be her father. The musical features some of ABBA’s biggest hits, such as “Souper Trouper,” “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Dancing Queen.”

“The talent on the stage is incredible,” said Billy D. Hart, who plays Eddie in the production. “People who may not know the performers here, Philly has a huge pool of local talent that is quite impressive.”

Eddie is the best man and best friend of Sky, the groom who Sophie plans to marry. Eddie, Sky and Pepper are all close friends and are featured in various comedic moments throughout the play. Eddie is also in charge of Sky’s bachelor party.

Mamma Mia marks Hart’s 11th show at the Walnut Street Theatre, and he has the unique distinction of being in every single musical at the Walnut since 2014. He’s been seen in tons of shows, including Annie, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Wizard of Oz, South Pacific, Saturday Night Fever, High Society and Memphis.

“I love the music and getting to perform it eight or nine times a week,” Hart said of the performance. “There are some heavier shows like Les Mis with dark undertones, but this show is exactly what it needs. It’s light and fun and makes you forget your troubles every time you’re here.”

Hart lives in the 19148 zip code, and there are two other South Philadelphia natives involved with the play, including Kimberly Maxson, who plays in the ensemble, and the production’s Music and Vocal Director John Daniels.

The performance runs for about 2 hours and 35 minutes and tickets range from $20 to $97. For more information visit walnutstreettheatre.org.

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