COLUMBUS, Ohio –– To raise funds for central Ohio’s only pediatric hospice and palliative care programs, Butterfly Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital will present Mamma Mia! February 28 - March 1, 2020 at Columbus’ historic Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
The Butterfly Guild has presented professional-quality theatre performances at the Palace for more than 25 years and Mamma Mia!’s showing is the organization’s 61st production. The Butterfly Guild’s signature fund-raising event, the annual performance of historically well-known plays and musicals has helped the women’s auxiliary raise more than $4 million for Nationwide Children’s.
“We are delighted for the opportunity to support the hospice and palliative Care programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for yet another year,” Susan Long, Butterfly Guild president, said. “Our goal this year will be to increase the support for hospice and palliative care as well as bring awareness to the community about this amazing resource right in our own back yard. It is truly our pleasure to be involved in supporting services that provides warmth and comfort during the most trying of times.”
Auditions will be held at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Stecker Auditorium - 575 S. 18th St., 43205 - on October 26 & 27 with callbacks taking place on Tuesday, October 29. Those auditioning must be 16 years of age by opening night. There will be no exceptions. Those interested can begin signing up for auditions on Sept. 1 at Give.NationwideChildrens.org/MammaMia Walk-in auditions will be accepted as time permits.
For more information about Butterfly Guild or to make a donation to support hospice and palliative care at Nationwide Children’s, please visit Give.NationwideChildrens.org/MammaMia.
The Pleasure Guild’s rendition of Mamma Mia! will be directed by David Bahgat, choreographed by Heidi Kok, with the music directed by Zac DelMonte. For questions, please email Butterflyguildauditions@gmail.com
About Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA compiled by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeusm. Donna, an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother's past in hope of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day. Mamma Mia! had a 14-year run on Broadway, making it the ninth longest-running show in Broadway history.
About Butterfly Guild
Butterfly Guild (formerly known as Pleasure Guild), a woman’s auxiliary of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, dates back to 1908. The organization is dedicated to raising funds, more than $200,000 annually, for central Ohio’s only pediatric hospice and palliative care programs. The money Butterfly Guild raises goes to support crucial services for children facing terminal and life-limiting illnesses. The hospice team offers life enhancing services such as an on-call nurse 24/7, massage therapy, chaplain services, emotional counseling and grief counseling for the families for up to two years after the child’s passing. But perhaps, most importantly, it allows these children to remain comfortably at home, rather than in a hospital.