You might know by now that I love musicals. You can imagine how excited I was to be able to attend a media night for Broadway Sacramento’s Mamma Mia! Today I’d like to share some of the great things about Broadway Sacramento at Music Circus with you, as well as why you should plan a visit. If you’re in the Sacramento, California area–or planning a visit–I highly suggest a night at Music Circus!

This visit Music Circus post is in collaboration with Broadway Sacramento. I received a complimentary ticket to their production of Mamma Mia! in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you so much for organizing this opportunity Julie Gallaher from www.getonthemap.us. All thoughts expressed are completely my own.

a little music circus history

Music Circus was built in 1951 and was originally in a large open-air, “circus style” tent. This made it quite literally a musical circus! It started as the Sacramento Music Company and was the first professional musical theatre-in-the-round west of the Mississippi. Even though it went up in a parking lot it somehow became an instant success. In 2003 Broadway Sacramento opened the Wells Fargo Pavilion and gave us the incredible indoor experience we have today. The venue combined all the modern technology of a traditional theatre but maintained its intimate feel. The Wells Fargo Pavilion has since been renamed the UC Davis Health Pavilion. Broadway Sacramento has since become the largest nonprofit musical theatre in California. It even operates a theatre education program for students interested in the arts.

| Read: Saving Money on Broadway Shows |

why you should visit music circus

I have always loved musicals. Going to Les Miserables with my mother is one of my earliest and most vivid memories. I’m so thankful that I married someone that feels the same way about them that I do. However, I know that for many people when you think of date night or a girls night you don’t necessarily think of musical theatre. Here are some of the reasons you should reconsider and visit Broadway Sacramento at Music Circus.

| Read: 50+ Things to do in California with your Family |

it’s a high end night at a bargain price

I’ve been several times and I truly believe there’s not a bad seat in the house. Even though the different seating areas are different price points, you can still get a great seat if you’re on a budget. In addition to that, Broadway Sacramento has the $35 under 35 club. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35 you can sign up for free and have access to show tickets that are only $35. You can even enjoy dinner at select restaurants and get a 10% discount when you present your theatre ticket!

there’s quality you won’t find elsewhere

You might hear “theatre-in-the-round” and think it’s going to be amateur hour, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. These are professional productions and everything from the acting to sets to the music is outstanding! Since it’s such a unique venue for a Broadway production, these shows have short runs of just one week at Music Circus and then they’re done. Experiencing Broadway shows like this is incredibly unique. Did you know Music Circus is the largest musical theatre-in-the-round in the country that continually hosts shows?!

it’s an experience you won’t forget

I’ve mentioned several times that Music Circus is an untraditional theatre being that it’s theatre-in-the-round. However, if you haven’t experienced it yourself you might not understand why that’s so special. With this intimate, theatre-in-the-round experience you are so close to what’s happening on stage that not only can you see what the actors are feeling, you can feel it. I can personally vouch that the smaller stage does not bring any disappointment with it.

Mamma Mia! at Music Circus

I had never seen a stage production of Mamma Mia! before but was happy to see that it is pretty close to the storyline of the movie. Did you know the stage musical was actually written first? The cast was incredibly talented and I had a hard time picking a “favorite” character. Donna and the Dynamos are definitely a highlight of the show. However, actresses Michelle Dawson, April Nixon, and Jodi Kimura have such an amazing connection on stage as well! They also had my girlfriends and I laughing the hardest during the show!

Of course, being full of ABBA songs the musical is sure to be the type you want to bob your head and sing along to. However, the incredible dance numbers also had me wanting to jump on stage and get in on the action. One of my favorite numbers was “Lay All Your Love On Me” because the choreography was so fun!

Do you like musicals? Have you seen Mamma Mia! on stage before?