ABBA Mania pays tribute to the Swedish pop act
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Amy Edwards was exposed to ABBA as a child; singing and dancing her way through the Swedish band’s catalog.
“I remember singing ‘Dancing Queen’ wearing my mom’s high heels when I was 5 years old,” she says. “My love for their music grew.”
Decades later, she has found her way to ABBA Mania, which plays the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix on Sunday, March 10.
“There were so many songs that I hadn’t heard,” she says in her Australian accent. “It was great to learn different songs. I had my favorites in the beginning, but that’s all completely changed. I love ‘Chiquitita,’ ‘Name of the Game’ and ‘Take a Chance on Me.’ My love for them has grown so much.”
ABBA Mania formed in 1999 and the show has been selling out theaters and concert halls internationally since. ABBA Mania has previously grossed over $1 million AUD at the box office in Sydney, Australia. The show has ventured to France, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia and South Korea as well as the United Kingdom.
With 30 shows in more than six weeks, ABBA Mania’s tour is its eighth. Edwards, who now lives in Las Vegas, is excited about this run.
“We take you through the iconic eras of ABBA,” she says. “We wear the iconic costumes they wore in videos. We play all the songs everybody knows and loves.
“We take you back to that time when they reigned in the music world. Even if someone wasn’t the biggest fan, they will still have the best time. You’ll be on your feet dancing and singing.”
This is right up Edwards’ alley. She’s been singing and dancing since she was 6 in Australia. When she was 21, she moved to London to perform in West End shows.
“We perform all over the country and all over the world,” she says. “It’s definitely in my blood.”
