Mamma Mia! Those Crazy Yellow Turtles!

…as reported by: proud mama, Lisa (of Liana Hunt and owner of Vermont’s Yellow Turtle)

I’m late in sending reports – but better late than never! Opening night (Feb.27th) was so FABULOUS!! Liana opens the show by herself, and that was just an incredible moment in time…I cried (and cried!) and couldn’t see anything for about the first 15 minutes of the performance!! The people of Kentucky were so wonderful — the friendliest town imaginable. Liana is now en route to Davenport, IA. She has already been to Lexington, KY, Paducah, KY, Bloomington, IN, & Duluth, MN. What a schedule for just 2 weeks! Now they will spend more time in each location as soon as they get to Palm Desert on Monday. Liana has been through the absolute worst weather, so hopefully that will also change on Monday. She reported that the audiences in Duluth had fantastic spirit! Life on the road takes some getting used to for sure. She misses home cooking! A group of wonderful people in Lexington hosted them to a Southern home-cooked meal in a local Baptist Church, though, and I had the pleasure of attending and can say that: I ate the best Bourbon Bread Pudding in the universe!!! Thanks to them!!!

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Mamma Mia! Our “Baby” is Making Her Debut Next Week!

Liana Hunt will debut as Sophie in Mamma Mia! on February 27, 2009 in Lexington KY

Liana Hunt, Yellow Turtle’s “baby model” is debuting next Friday in the lead role of Sophie in the North American Touring company for Mamma Mia! Do they still say “Break a leg” as a good luck wish in the performing arts? We wish her and her proud tribe in Stowe, Vermont the very best. Liana’s proud mamma, Lisa (owner of Yellow Turtle) is going to be in Lexington for the big debut and the big opening night party (I’m not jealous, no, really, I’m not)!! All I can say is, Lisa better send us some fun photos of the party to share!

I’m sure there’s an ABBA song that would be appropriate to quote here to express our excitement and joy for Liana, but I can’t think of any because I’m too excited for her to think straight!

Liana is deep in rehearsals right now, but we’re sending her the very best of luck and success!

For the first half of the Mamma Mia! North American Touring Company’s 2009 touring schedule, click here. All you folks in Kentucky have fabulous fun at the show next week!

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A Le Top Baby Becomes a Star

Liana Hunt...wow...look at that face...gorgeous!! Congratulations on getting the lead role!!

When I found out Yellow Turtle’s “baby model” got the lead role of Sophie in the North American Touring company for Mamma Mia…well, I was bursting with pride and pleasure and joy for her (CONGRATS, Liana!!) as well as her mom! Liana just finished her classes at NYU on Dec. 16th, and then her agent called her the very next day to offer her the lead role! Can you imagine what Lisa (owner of Yellow Turtle) must have been feeling about her daughter getting this fabulous role? Wow! I really wanted to write about Liana and Mamma Mia, but not knowing anything about it, I followed a hunch and turned to Jamee…

Erin: Do you know anything about Mama Mia? I’ve never seen the stage version, nor the movie that just came out, and I need to write about it…help!

Jamee: It’s Mamma Mia. (Two “Ms” in Mamma.) And YES I saw it, and I LOVED IT! You have to know all the ABBA songs to truly enjoy it, but it’s just a really good time! The Broadway musical is way better than the movie. They sing “Dancing Queen” at the end and try to get everyone to get out of their seats and dance. They try to copy this in the movie version and it was just okay. Miranda LOVES Mamma Mia as well. All my fault. 🙂 She sings all the songs. We sing them in the car, we sing them at home, we sing them at grandma and grandpa’s house…it’s contagiously fun! It’ll be so exciting to see this performance live with Miranda. I know she’ll be dancing in her seat! When is Liana’s tour coming to SF!?!

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