Today’s topic Christine Sherrill is currently living her theater life and spreading the gospel of ABBA’s joy in the 25th anniversary tour of Mummy Mia! where she plays the lead role of Donna. The show is currently running at the Opera House at the Kennedy Center until September 1st.

Christine is no newcomer to Mummy Mia!. She most recently played the role of Donna during her residency with the show’s Las Vegas company. Other national successes include leading roles in Kiss me, Kate, Besides Normal, Boys and Dolls And Boulevard of TwilightShe received a Joseph Jefferson Award for her portrayal of Norma Desmond.

TV/Film and Video Credits include FBI Most Wanted, prophet, Red Dead RedemptionAnd Landline.

After playing the same show for a while, some performers tend to become robotic and self-aggrandizing in their performances. Read on to find out why Christine is so self-aggrandizing when performing in Mummy Mia!.

With everything going on in the world right now, sometimes a light-hearted musical with a silly plot is just the thing to forget everything. If you fancy a great theatre escape, get some tickets for Mummy Mia! at the Kennedy Center.

Christine Sherrill is a veteran of the show who already has boundless energy after many performances.

Experience this “Dancing Queen” and the troupe with whom Christine shares the stage and find out why she enjoys her theater life to the fullest.

At what age did you become interested in acting?

I started learning piano when I was 7 and discovered that I had a desire to sing along. This evolved into full-blown, uninvited performances for anyone who would listen.

Where did you receive your training?

I studied on a singing scholarship, but I actually wanted to be a teacher. I have a master’s degree in education. I did most of my training on Chicago stages. I’m proud to say that I learned and studied “on the job” with some of the best directors and actors.

What was your first professional job as an artist?

My first professional job was the role of Lina Lamont in Singin’ in The Rain Translation of lyrics at the Drury Lane Theater in Chicago. Funny, my first job was being a bad singer!

How did you first get involved Mummy Mia!?

I played Tanya for the first time on the 2006 tour. A few years later I played Donna in Vegas.

How many performances of Mummy Mia! did you perform?

Oh god… almost 300 on this tour and almost 1000 total. Haha, that answer just made me tired.

With that in mind, now that you’ve been playing the show for a while, how do you manage to bring a new experience to it every time you perform it?
That’s easy. The audience and the actors. We’ve been so lucky this year. Every city has welcomed us with these exciting audiences. This is why I love live theatre. I can start my eighth show of the week and feel a little tired when I first meet the audience. Their laughter, silence and engagement are energising. It’s hard to sing ABBA in front of 3000 people standing on their feet and feel anything but alive. This cast is dedicated to telling our story to each city, which means I’m always on stage with someone who supports me in the scene and has similar interests.

Played Mummy Mia! Is it a different experience to play the show on tour in Las Vegas in terms of audience behavior and reaction?

Yes! Absolutely. Our guests look for opportunities to see our show while on tour. They drive for hours, save up for tickets, listen to the soundtrack or watch the movies, and come ready for the experience of a lifetime.

Do you have a particular favorite ABBA song?

“Thank you for the music.” This is my love letter to this company and all the good it has brought to me and my family.

Mummy Mia! has been around for 25 years now. What do you think is the secret of its longevity?

It’s a story about friendship and family, reminding us all that you can get through the difficult times in life with the love of the people around you, humor and of course a fantastic soundtrack.

Special thanks to Brittany Laeger, Kennedy Center senior press secretary, for her assistance in coordinating this interview.

The Theatre Life logo was designed by Kevin Laughon.

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