Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia! is celebrating three milestones: not only its 10th anniversary at the Winter Garden Theatre and becoming the 10th longest-running show in Broadway history, but it also enters the history books with over 4,000 performances.

Mamma Mia! opened on October 18, 2001, one of the first shows to debut after 9/11. Mamma Mia!, with its upbeat, feel-good ABBA songs, colorful costumes, and energetic choreography from a cast of 35, was the right show for that time. It helped begin the healing by encouraging locals to return to normal routines, such as attending the theater, and signaling the city was open for tourism.

Inspired by the fame of ABBA’s timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek isle on the eve of Sophie’s wedding. Sophie’s been searching for her father, and has invited three men from her mother Donna’s uninhibited past to the island where they had their last flings 20 years ago. Confusion and great hilarity ensue as they vie to be father of the bride.

Lisa Brescia (Wicked, Aida) and Liana Hunt play Donna and Sophie, with Judy McLane (Chess; Drama Desk nominee for Johnny Guitar) and Jennifer Perry as Donna’s best friends. The tunes include “Chiquitita,” “Dancing Queen,” “Lay All Your Love on Me,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Name of the Game,” “SOS,” “Super Trouper,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Voulez-Vous,” “The Winner Takes It All” and, of course, the title tune.

Mamma Mia! is like a red-velvet cupcake with lemon icing. In fact, New York Times critic Ben Brantley wrote, “When the going gets tough, the tough want cupcakes” because they transport “the eater to a safe, happy yesterday that probably never existed.” He added that the story and music “have been combined with alchemical magic into the theatrical equivalent of comfort food that gives off moist-eyed sincerity.”

The musical, which went on to be Tony-nominated as Best Musical, has surpassed the runs of legendary hits Miss Saigon, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello, Dolly!, and Annie. The London production, in its 13th year, has played over 5,000 performances.

The creative team responsible for not only bringing Mamma Mia! to theatrical life but also keeping it in pristine shape are ABBA’s Andersson and Ulvaeus, global director Phyllida Lloyd, choreographer Anthony Van Laast, and producers Judy Craymer, Richard East, and Universal Pictures, which released the smash film adaptation.

“New York audiences embraced us in a special way when we arrived on Broadway and enabled Mamma Mia! to become a worldwide success,” says Ms. Craymer. “So our 10th Anniversary is like a homecoming. I never could have dreamed that we’d go around the world and...become a Broadway landmark.”

One Mamma Mia! slogan states, “You already know you’re gonna love it!” That must be true, because audiences worldwide have been eating up this cupcake for over 10 years.  

TRIVIA - Mamma Mia! has played in over 300 major cities since the London premiere 13 years ago, and has been seen by over five million people on Broadway and over 50 million worldwide, grossing in excess of $2 billion...On October 18, the Empire State Building will be illuminated “Mamma Mia! blue” for the 10th anniversary...With a special T-shirt designed by producer Judy Craymer and other fundraising activities, Mamma Mia! has raised over a million dollars for Breast Cancer Research...The Universal Studios film adaptation is the most successful movie musical ever, grossing over $600 million...NYC’s iconic Magnolia Bakery has debuted the official Mamma Mia! 10th anniversary cupcake.

Mamma Mia! is currently playing at the Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway at 50th St. For tickets, call 212-563-5544 or click here.