Swedish group ABBA is one of the best-selling music groups of all time. Its musical body of work has been adapted as the basis of the musical and movie “Mamma Mia!” and the sequel, “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” which revived interest in ABBA songs.
Now, ABBAFAB takes ABBA’s music on the road, set in the time period of – and wearing costumes from – ABBA’s original success, which was 1972 to 1982. ABBAFAB makes its St. Louis debut Sept. 19 to 22 at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza.
Having performed across the U.S. and abroad, ABBAFAB is a tribute to the ABBA hits produced in the ‘70s and ‘80s, including “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” “Honey Honey,” “Dancing Queen” and countless others, taking audiences on a Technicolor journey.
Four performers take on the musical roles of the original four members, who were two married couples: Agnetha Fältskog was married to Björn Ulvaeus, and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were married. The band’s name was formed by creating an acronym of the first letter of the four member’s names. The ABBAFAB touring performers are:
Hollie Cavanagh (performing as Agnetha) came into the spotlight on the 11th season of “American Idol.” Cavanagh impressed the judges with her powerful diva-like voice. She advanced to the final four, earning praise from industry legends, like Stevie Nicks and Mary J. Blige for her vocals. After the show, she traveled across the country as part of the American Idol Tour. She has since released singles and sung the title track for an award-winning short film. And now, she is once again performing live for audiences across the world.
Kayla Kenzior (performing as Anna-Frid) always dreamed of performing on stage. Little did she know that her dreams would become reality when she auditioned for Idol in the Skye, a singing competition, when she was just 13 years old. Now 24, she performs in five TAD Management productions: ABBAFAB, Those British Girls, Rock Me Gently, Diamond Rocks and Adventures in Parrotdise.
Chris Whiteley (performing as Benny on piano and sax) has nearly 30 years of performance experience. He is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger. Whiteley began playing saxophone in grade school and picked up flute and clarinet in high school. He later added piano, guitar, percussion, bassoon, folk whistles and some brass. Throughout his years as a cruise ship musician and touring member of tribute and original acts, he has backed up artists such as Judy Carmichael, Dale Kristien, Fabio Zini, Kenny Cetera and Melissa Manchester.
Scotty Pearson (performing as Bjorn on guitar) loves to say he was “Bjorn” to be in ABBAFAB as the guitarist and one of the two front men. He grew up in Portland, Oregon, and as a teenager began learning, playing and performing music. Now living in Phoenix, Arizona, if he is not on stage entertaining an audience, he is probably with his wife and two boys doing the same thing.
ABBAFAB will be on stage for evening performances at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 19, 20 and 21, and matinees at 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza, 635 Westport Plaza, Maryland Heights, Missouri. Tickets are $60, and can be purchased at metrotix.com or by calling 314-534-1111. Tickets will also be available one hour prior to the show at the Playhouse@Westport Plaza box office. For groups of 10 or more, call 314-402-2430 for special rates. For more information, visit playhouseatwestport.com.
