5-Star reopens its doors with ‘Mamma Mia!’

Also taking nominations for Top Mamma contest

5-Star Theatricals returns to in-person live performances after 17 months with the first show of its 2021-22 season, the musical comedy “Mamma Mia!”

Performances run Oct. 15 through 24 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sun., Oct. 17 and 1 p.m. Sun., Oct. 24; with an added performance at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 21.

The show has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and some songs with Stig Anderson. Book is by Catherine Johnson. The play was originally conceived by Judy Craymer.

Richard Israel is the director, with musical direction by Anthony Lucca and choreography by Stephanie Landwehr.

Kim Huber of Broadway’s “Disney’s Beauty and The Beast” stars as Donna Sheridan. Emmy award-winning “Days of Our Lives” actor Eric Martsolf co-stars as Sam Carmichael.

The hits of the Swedish pop group ABBA power this sunny, funny show about a young woman’s search for her birth father.

Songs such as “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance On Me,” “Chiquitita” and “Money, Money” lift the audience higher than a pair of bedazzled platform boots.

Health protocols require full COVID vaccination of all patrons or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before the performance, along with mask requirements for all attendees.

Patrons may request a refund on tickets purchased before the guidance changes.

Tickets are $38 to $91. Student, senior and group discounts are available.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, through 5startheatricals.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

For groups of 10 or more, call (805) 497- 8613, ext. 1. For ticket and theater information, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787).

The season will continue with “Something Rotten,” Feb. 4 to 13, 2022; “Disney’s Newsies,” July 15 to 24; and “The Addams Family,” Oct. 14 to 23, all in the Kavli Theatre.

For membership and ticket information, call (805) 497-8613, ext. 6, or go to www.5startheatricals.com.

IN A NUTSHELL

Top Mamma

In conjunction with its production of “ Mamma Mia!”—its first show back after a 20-month layoff due to COVID—5-Star Theatricals is holding a contest to find the Top Mamma.

The resident arts company of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center is accepting, through Thurs., Oct. 7, nominations “looking for that important someone who had a personal or inspirational impact on your life.”

“It can be anyone who has filled the ‘Mamma’ role in your life. Simply tell us about them and why they are a top mamma,” the nonprofit arts company said in a statement.

5-Star will select four Mammas to win four tickets each to see the show running Oct. 15 to 24 at the Kavli Theatre. Winners will also receive a $100 Visa gift card.

Winners will be announced Oct. 8. To submit a nomination, go to 5startheatricals.com/top-mamma.