Hometown, Alaska: Blockbuster Musicals

Right now, Mamma Mia! is staging at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts to packed houses that promoters say will peak around 19,000 viewers by the time the show closes Saturday. Anchorage Opera will bring South Pacific to town for eight days in April. These two showcase musicals are loaded with tunes the public can’t seem to stop humming – for decades!

Join host Kathleen McCoy to talk about both shows, including an interesting bit of Alaska history with ‘South Pacific’ when it was staged in Kodiak and Anchorage in 1951 at the same time as the original show was still playing Broadway.

Guests include Mamma Mia! cast member John-Michael Zuerlein (character Bill Austin), and Anchorage Opera’s Torrie Allen, general manager and artistic director. We’ll talk about the amazing and seemingly timeless staying power of musicals, and what it’s like to bring these big shows to Anchorage. What’s your favorite, and why?

Download Audio (MP3)

HOST: Kathleen McCoy, independent journalist

GUESTS:

  • Torrie Allen, artistic director and general manager, Anchorage Opera
  • John-Michael Zuerlein, cast member, “Bill Austin” in Mamma Mia!

PARTICIPATE:

  • Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752 (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
  • Send e-mail to hometownalaska@kska.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air)
  • Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air)

LIVE: Wed, October 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

REPEAT: Wed, October 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

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