A Broadway smash comes to Broome County.
Mamma Mia took the stage Friday at the Forum Theatre.
Action News Reporter Leigh Dana was at the opening gala prior to the show.
he tells us how it's part of a greater effort to bring more of Broadway, to Binghamton.
Entertainment before the entertainment.
A fundraising gala event was held at the Regency prior to the international sensational Broadway musical making its opening night debut at the Forum.
"I'm looking forward to it a lot. ABBA's music is wonderful. I heard the production is just superb and I think everyone here is looking forward to a spectacular show," says Emily Raimondi of Binghamton.
Evening goers paid $250 to attend, but the money's for a good cause.
It's to help bring even more lavish shows to the theatre.
"The forum has been downtown for well over a 100 years. And we need to work hard to without taxing the tax payers. Next year we're putting in new seats. it's part of upgrading to give the people that support our theater the quality of venue they deserve," says Ron Sall with Friends of the Forum.
This chair is actually a replica of one of the seats that will be placed inside the theatre. And with your donation, you will get a name plaque that will go right here on the arm.
Other improvements have been made over the past few months in order to bring Mamma Mia to the local stage.
About $100,000 was spent to widen the stage door and rigs were added to hang heavy lights.
"The shows are getting bigger. And we'll need these changes to be able to house these shows," says Albert Nocciolino of NAC Entertainment.
And after this weekend, the curtain will fall on Mamma Mia.
But who knows, Beauty and The Beast could be next.
In Binghamton, Leigh Dana, WBNG TV Action News.
Tickets are still available for shows this weekend.
You can catch it tomorrow, at 2 and 8 PM.
And Sunday, at 2 and 7:30 PM.
Order tickets at the Forum Theater Box Office or through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.
You can also reserve them online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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