Las Vegas Weekly

July 10, 2008 · 8 AM

Abba members reunite to welcome Mamma Mia! movie stars

By Robin Leach

Stars line up for the Swedish movie premiere of Mamma Mia!

Photo: Image.net

Just days before the Vegas cast of Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay gets to see an advance sneak-preview screening of the new movie version of their musical, members of the ABBA supergroup reunited publicly for the first time in about 22 years. (It was back in 1986 when they last performed together in public, although there are rumors they played together at a friend’s birthday party in 1999.)

Our local actors, singers and dancers will host the special viewing of the new Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan movie at the recently opened Town Square movie complex Sunday -- and answer movie-goers' questions afterward. The film gets its American premiere next week with our local theaters starting showings as of Friday, July 18. Meryl, Pierce and co-stars Colin Firth, Christine Baranski and Julie Walters traveled to Stockholm for the unique Swedish premiere.

There, ABBA founders Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agneta Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, known as Frida, walked down the red carpet to cheers from thousands of fans. It was back in 1974 when they first shot to fame, winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Several of the ABBA contingent attended the Mandalay Bay opening of the musical but they turned down a $1 billion offer for a reunion concert tour! Before all four stood with the American stars on the movie theater’s outdoor balcony, Meryl hugged and kissed Agnetha and Frida -- and all posed for photos for fans while dancing together. Meryl revealed it had always been her dream as a movie actress to sing on screen in a musical. The last time she'd performed one was in Oklahoma back in high school.

The movie version of Mamma Mia! is getting rave reviews and ticket sales success -- both of which are expected to boost the Mandalay Bay box office. Already, resort executives have extended its run until next spring, although they had previously announced it would end its five-year run this summer.

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