Here We Go Again

WAC welcomes back Broadway hit

Photo by Joan Marcus. “Mamma Mia” returns to the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville with eight showings next week.
Photo by Joan Marcus. “Mamma Mia” returns to the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville with eight showings next week.

Chad Fornwalt came into the role of Sam in "Mamma Mia" by pure luck. A friend working casting for a completely different show heard the touring production of "Mamma Mia" was still lacking a few actors, called Fornwalt up and told him to send over his resume and head shot without even telling him what show it was for.

"The rest is history, I guess," Fornwalt says by phone from Los Angeles. "It's not a show I ever thought I would connect with -- I couldn't even watch the whole movie. But once I started to look into what the purpose of [the story] is, it opened my eyes to different things that matter in theater. I had never appreciated shows that are designed to give people just an escape and provide so much joy."

FAQ

‘Mamma Mia’

WHEN — Tuesday through Feb. 14

WHERE — Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville

COST — $36-$78

INFO — 443-5600 or waltonartscenter.org

Performing the same role played by Pierce Brosnan in the film version (starring Meryl Streep), Fornwalt says "Mamma Mia" is pure joy from beginning to end. Set to the soundtrack of ABBA's greatest hits, the story follows a woman on the eve of her wedding as she sets out to learn which of three possible men is her real father. This production is Fornwalt's first experience touring with a company, and he says he may be spoiled from the wonderful experience it's been.

"It's been really amazing to watch the audiences' reaction night after night -- each audience brings new energy, making it almost feel like a new show every night," Fornwalt says. "There's no better opportunity to just release and relax. This show is really two and a half hours of letting people leave their problems at the door. I really want people to feel the joy we do in bringing it to these different cities."

-- Jocelyn Murphy

[email protected]

NAN What's Up on 02/05/2016

Upcoming Events