MANIA – The ABBA Tribute is bringing the magic of the \u201970s sensation to the Rialto Theatre for one night, Jan. 27.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n In addition to dominating 1970s radio, ABBA spawned the 2000s jukebox film and Broadway musical \u201cMamma Mia\u201d and inspired countless cover and tribute bands.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n MANIA started on London\u2019s West End back in 1999, recreating the band’s iconic music and performances. Since then, the touring show has sold out theaters and concert halls worldwide and has performed for more than 3 million people.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n The ABBA tribute band, MANIA.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Melissa Harding, who plays the role of Frida, is on her third winter tour with the show. She grew up on ABBA music, and said performing in the tribute band has been her dream job.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt’s been an amazing experience for me,\u201d she said. \u201cMama Mia was the first show I ever saw on Broadway as a young singer that grew up in musical theater, and so it’s kind of a full circle moment to be in a tribute band to ABBA.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The concert has a run time of two hours, and Harding said it’s packed with ABBA\u2019s most popular songs, including “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Mamma Mia” and “Take a Chance on Me.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cYou get all the hits,\u201d she said. \u201cWe throw a couple curve balls in there, a couple deep cuts for the big fans that really know the show, or know the catalog of music. But if you are coming ready for Dancing Queen, you’re going to get Dancing Queen, you want Mamma Mia, you’re going to get Mamma Mia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Harding also made it clear that although the show started on the West End, it is not a theater production, and that attendees are invited to get up and dance or sing to their favorite songs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThis is a concert. So we want you to play with us, we want you to engage with us, and we want you on your feet, and we want you to dress up,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n With their practiced Swedish accents and ABBA-inspired costumes, Harding and her co-performers don’t just cover ABBA songs, they recreate the experience of seeing the group live.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe start the show in the Eurovision ensemble \u2014 the whole Eurovision look, and Waterloo, and what made the band really blow up across the world. We do a couple costume changes in the first act, and then in the second act, we go into their very traditional white outfits, and we change up the scene a little bit, but it is a really fun, interactive concert,\u201d Harding said. \u201cWe bring that fun energy of getting to see the music with a really killer band played live.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Each of the performers bring their own energy into whatever part they’re playing, while also trying to create a live version of the music that the audience knows and loves, she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe are not the original artists, so we all have our own styles that we bring into it, but we are paying homage to them,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n To Harding, what makes ABBA\u2019s music special is how it appeals to so many generations, and brings people together.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe’ve got 6-year-olds in the front row that know every word,\u201c she said. \u201cIt blows our minds. And they’re next to someone who’s 80, and they know every word, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Harding said MANIA is hoping for a packed night at the Rialto, and she encouraged Tucsonans to show up in their best 70s ABBA fashion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cCome on down and fill that theater with us,\u201d Harding said. \u201cCome in your glitter, come in your boa, come in your bell bottoms, whatever it is that encourages you to let loose and have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tickets are on sale now for the 7:30 p.m. show at the Rialto, 318 E. Congress St.,\u00a0<\/span>with prices starting at $33. Visit Rialto’s website<\/a> for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n Analeise Mayor
\nArizona Daily Star
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\n Courtesy of MANIA
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