PETALING JAYA: You have sung along to ABBA’s hit songs and perhaps just watched the movie; but now is the time to catch the stage musical extravaganza Mamma Mia! live in Kuala Lumpur.

Set to make its debut here this Christmas and New Year holiday season, the best-selling London’s West End show is a glittering blend of comedy and music that has delighted over 30 million people worldwide.

It has played in more than 25 major cities around the world and an estimated 17,000 people €“ across all age and national boundaries €“ are said to see the show daily, but this will be its first appearance in this region.

Created by West End producer Judy Craymer, Mamma Mia! re-introduces Swedish pop superband ABBA’s much loved songs to the theatre.

The appeal of the show, however, is not only the catchy music, but also its universal themes, which resonate with many.

“There’s a mother-daughter relationship; an old romance; there’s losing someone and finding him again. There are all kinds of things that everyone can relate to,” said its playwright Catherine Johnson.

Cramer agreed, describing it as a show about real people in real situations, yet featuring a wonderful pop score, one that provided the soundtrack for a generation in the ‘70s and early ‘80s.

For the uninitiated, Mamma Mia! tells of a young bride-to-be, Sophie, who invites three of her mother’s old boyfriends in the hope of finding her real father. This causes havoc at the wedding, which creates a lot of comical and touching moments €“ played out amidst lovable ABBA hit tunes of course.

Nine years since Mamma Mia! opened in London, it is still receiving a rapturous welcome from the audience every night.

“We really had no idea how it was going to be received. (On the opening night) the audience went wild. They were literally out of their seats and singing and dancing in the aisles €“ and they still are. Every night,” said Craymer.

From its popularity and rave reviews worldwide, it is anticipated that Mamma Mia! will be one of the most successful and memorable musicals to arrive on Malaysian shores.

This is definitely the party of a lifetime that is not to be missed.

If you enjoyed the movie, don’t miss the chance to savour the infectious music coming to life on stage through dance, drama and comedy. It will definitely have you belting out “Thank You For The Music,” and bopping like a “Dancing Queen.”

Mamma Mia! will be performed at Istana Budaya Kuala Lumpur from Dec 17, 2008, to Jan 1, 2009. Watch out for more details in The Star.