NIGHT OF A THOUSAND VOICES

Thanks to Noel King for info on this one - Broadway Chess star Judy Kuhn and probably Tommy Körberg are due to take part in this concert in London on 4 May:

Dame Judi Dench will host this year's The Night of 1000 Voices benefit concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on 4 May 2003.

Those scheduled to perform on May 4 include Judy Kuhn, who will sing "Someone Else's Story," which she premiered in the Broadway production of Chess; Philip Quast, who will offer Les Miz's "Stars"; Sally Ann Triplett, who will belt out Cole Porter's Anything Goes showstopper, "Blow Gabriel Blow"; Alan Campbell, who will deliver the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard; Alex Jennings, who will admit that "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face"; Kelli James, who will sing the Cats anthem, "Memory"; and Lauren Kennedy, who will explain that she's a girl who "Cain't Say No." Others expected to take part in the one-night-only event include Aled Jones, Teri Bibb, Leigh Constantine, Tiffany Graves, Alexis Owen Hobbs, Alexandra Jay, Annette McLaughlin, Rebecca Thornhill, Michael McCarthy and Tommy Körberg.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

HELEN ON TOUR

Helen Sjöholm is going on tour of Sweden between May and July. Here are the dates taken from Görel's website:

25 May Västerås, Konserthus 1700 and 1930
29 May Carlstad Conference Centre
30 May Jönköping, Konserthuset
31 May Malmö, Konserthuset
1 May Göteborg, Konserthuset

3 July Piteå, Storforsen
4 July Stockholm, plats ej klar
5 July Eskilstuna, Sundbyholms Slott
6 July Vadstena, Vadstena Slott
7 July Helsingborg, Margaretaparken
8 July Borgholm, Borgholms Slott

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, Stockholm, Sweden

MORE VEGAS PHOTOS

ABBAMAILer Rod Reynolds in L.A. has created two galleries of Mamma Mia! Vega premiere shots:

http://www.geocities.com/theartdeptla/mammavegas_1.html

http://www.geocities.com/theartdeptla/mammavegas_2.html

MARIE THREATENS TO SUE EXPRESSEN

Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has threatened to sue a Swedish tabloid for an article alleging she could be suffering from a second tumour.

Sweden - Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has threatened to sue a Swedish tabloid for an aritcle alleging she could be suffering from a second tumour.

Fredriksson is recovering after having had a brain tumour removed last fall.

The Stockholm dail tabloid Expressen wrote last month that doctors had discovered another possible tumour. In a letter to the newspaper, Fredriksson's lawyer, Leif Silbersky, said the report was false and violated Fredriksson's integrity.

Silbersky said Expressen could avoid a lawsuit by publishing an apology on its front page, pay Fredriksson 500,000 kronor in damages and cover her legal fees. The 44-year-old singer would give the damages to the Swedish Cancer Society, Silbersky said in the letter dated on Sunday.

Expressen's chief editor, Otto Sjoeberg, wouldn't comment on the demands but said the newspaper didn't meant to offend Fredriksson. "If she feels that we have written too much or come too close, then we are sincerely sorry about it," Sjoeberg said.

Fredriksson underwent brain surgery in September. She is recovering well "under the circumstances" and resting at her home, her manager Marie Dimberg said.

Fredriksson and Per Gessle, the other half of Roxette, are known worldwide for international hits including Joyride and The Look. -

Sapa-AP

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Neil Hopwood, Johannesburg, South Africa

NEW ABBA TRIBUTE TV SHOW

http://www.ebu.ch/departments/television/projects/live_events/tribute_abba.php

"In 2004, it will be 30 years since the Swedish pop group, Abba, shot to fame after their ground-breaking performance of "Waterloo" during the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. As a lead up to the 50th birthday of the Eurovision Song Contest itself in 2005, this programme will celebrate the phenomenon which was "Abba" in a two hour tribute to the group. Well known national and
international artists will perform their Abba favourites. Documentary and archive footage will tell the story of this pop phenomenon, created by the ESC."

http://www.esctoday.com/1418/?PHPSESSID=1913d73196337c3e69d524dfca79afd9

EBU celebrates 30 years of ABBA's victory

After the European Broadcasting Union, EBU, announced their grandiose plans for the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, they now have in store a tribute to ABBA's own anniversary of their victory in the contest.

In 1974, an unknown group from Sweden, named ABBA, took the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, and won the contest with Waterloo. Since that night, the Swedish group never looked back and went on to dominate world pop scene, until this very day.

As a lead to the Eurovision Song Contest's 50th anniversary in 2005, the EBU will produce a two hour show in 2004, which will feature Swedish and international stars who will perform some of the group's repertoire, as well as documentry and archive footage that will tell the group's story.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Chris Williams, Herefordshire, UK

FRIDA & BENNY FOR OZ?

Benny, Frida ponder Mamma Mia By Peter Mitchell in Las Vegas
February 17, 2003

AUSTRALIA could be in for another ABBA invasion, 26 years after the Swedish supergroup incited hysteria across the nation.

ABBA band members Benny Andersson and Frida Lyngstad say they might be Australia-bound soon.

There's no plan for an ABBA reunion or concert tour, but the former lovebirds want to return downunder for a holiday and, in particular, see the Australian version of the stage musical Mamma Mia!

Andersson and Lyngstad were in Las Vegas the past week for the opening of Mamma Mia! at the Mandalay Bay casino and spent part of their time reminiscing about Australia and the loyal fans who gave them five number one hits in one year.

"I have so many great memories of Australia," a smiling Lyngstad, who now sports a blonde bob hairstyle, said.

"I was on my way for the Mamma Mia! opening (in Melbourne in 2001) but I couldn't go.

"But I want to go again, not only just for the musical, but to go back to Australia when it is not so hysterical."

An ABBA frenzy engulfed Australia when the group embarked on a promotional tour in 1976 and a nationwide concert tour a year later, with rabid fans camping outside the band's hotels and tracking the foursome's every move.

Lyngstad's favourite memory was a peaceful day sailing on Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay.

"I have plenty of great memories, especially when I was in Melbourne and we had a chance to go out and away from the crowds on a sailing boat," Lyngstad, who turned 57 last November, said.

The Mamma Mia! stage show features 22 ABBA songs and has become a worldwide theatre hit, grossing more than $US400 million and currently playing in Sydney, New York, London and six other cities around the globe.

More than one million Australians have seen Mamma Mia! in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

Andersson and Lyngstad said they had heard great reports about Anne Wood, Rhonda Burchmore and the rest of the Australian cast.

Andersson's writing partner Bjorn Ulvaeus is the only ABBA band member to see the show in Australia after attending the Melbourne premiere in June 2001.

"I haven't been to see the Australian show yet but I want to go. I have been told the cast is very special," Andersson, 56, said.

"I have tremendous memories of Australia. The best memory was probably the tour we made. We were there for a few weeks and we had time to do things in between, swimming with seals and relaxing. It was wonderful."

Andersson and Lyngstad married in 1978 after a long courtship, but the couple divorced three years later.

The pair remain friends.

Mamma Mia! is currently selling out the Lyric Theatre at Sydney's Star City casino and when the Sydney run eventually finishes the show will likely move to other Australian cities and regional areas.

"Sydney is its home for now but obviously we would love the whole of Australia to see it one day," Mamma Mia's international producer, Judy Craymer, said at the Las Vegas premiere. "Wherever we can take it we will."

The Associated Press
Thanks to ABBAMAILer James O'Brien, Sydney - Australia

PETER JÖBACK IN NEW YORK

Well, I was walking down 14th Street on my way to a meeting today and ran into Peter Jöback.

Yes, you read that right.

I was walking along East 14th Street (near Union Square) and saw him coming the other way. It was quite surprising, so much so that I had to double back to the stoplight to make sure. I was embarrassed for having followed him, but I just smiled, asked if he was Peter (I pronounced it the American way ... like an idiot), shook his hand, said that I was a big fan, and welcomed him to New York.
Then I went on to my meeting -- I was late, and he seemed to be enjoying his anonymity.

And I do hope his trip is great. Maybe he's here for some auditions, which I hope he nailed. But I didn't have the forethought to ask him. Oh well. I hope he enjoyed being recognised in The Big Apple.

Ironically, I had his latest Christmas album on my MP3 player at the time, since I just got it a few days ago from Skivhugget.

It's a small world after all...

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Jason Swan, New York, USA

DEFINITIVE COLLECTION CORRECTED IN CANADA

Just thought I'd let you know that my local Wal-Mart got a new shipment of the Definitive Collection DVD. I did notice that the front of the package didn't have the large white sticker saying 30 remastered tracks as the earlier editions. The store has been sold out of the older Definitive Collection for about 2 weeks. So I bought another copy and checked and it's the corrected version. I noticed a lot of differences, like, colour changes, and a widescreen clips in Eagle and other stuff. But the Gimme!, Gimme!, Gimme! spelling is correct, so I know it's the right one. They got 3 copies in. So, some parts of Canada are getting the new fixed discs.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer David Polo, Canada

MAMMA MIA! HONEYMOON

On Star 93.7 FM a radio station based in Boston, they were giving the chance to a lucky couple to get married on Valentine's Day over the air, then send them to Las Vegas for their honey moon courtesy of Mamma Mia! at the Mandalay Bay Theatre.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer, New Hampshire, USA

ABBA THE BOOK GOES ON SALE

American book retailers Barnes and Noble have ABBA - The Book by Jean-Marie Potiez on clearance for $12.99.

Check your local B&N store for a bargain!

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Dora L. O'Rorke, St. Pete, Florida USA

MORE CHART NEWS

Here's a bit more chart related information that might be of interest.

I was trawling around the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) website the other day, and found that finally they've listed the albums and singles that received gold (35,000) or platinum (70,000) records for sales in 2002.

Not only did The Definitive Collection CD get a gold record last year, but so did the Reader's Digest set The ABBA Collection! See
http://www.aria.com.au/accredalbums.htm

Which I find rather interesting - the thing has been around since 1993, and isn't advertised that often in Reader's Digest catalogues (that I've seen). Still, not to bad for a 4 disc set which costs around $80 (plus postage) and is only available through mail order. And here it is: http://store.yahoo.com/readersdigest/350636.html

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's Ian Cole, Sydney Australia

CHARTS

Good chart news for ABBA.....
Canada: 20th Century Masters is up 18 to #73.
Germany: The Definitive Collection is up 2 to #27.
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is up 1 to #7.
Germany: Mamma Mia! soundtrack is down 13 to #98.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's Chart-Tart Dean Scapolo, New Zealand

JOSEFIN DEPRESSION?

There has been a lot of comment lately about various leads missing from Chess På Svenska performances. Including Josefin Nilsson

ABBAMAILer Ruth Harris from the UK tells us:
"I've heard that Josefin has sadly been suffering from depression, and that's why she's been away for so long. She's definitely off for the whole of February, and I don't know what's happening after that."

Other sources have quoted media reports complaining that understudies are doing many of the performances instead of the original leads.

AND THE SAME FROM AFTONBLADET...

Aftonbledet writes:

Chess moves to Skåne.

Chess might move to Skåne. Chess is still doing rather well at Cirkus in Stockholm, but it looks like the production is planning to move. In an interwiew in Billboard Björn Ulvaeus says that Chess might be staged in Malmö. When is not decided and not who might play the main characters, which are recently being held by Tommy Körberg and Helen Sjöholm. Earlier a planned move to Göteborg was cancelled.

By Tobias Fröberg / To English by ABBAMAILer Linda Granqvist, Stockholm, SWEDEN

NOW CHESS FOR MALMO

Chess on its way to Malmö (Metro, 11/2)

Probably Malmö is the next stop for the Swedish version of "Chess", Benny Andersson reveals in an interview with the paper Billboard.
- Negotiations are going on, Björn and Benny's co-worker Görel Hanser says.

The musical Chess is now playing at Cirkus in Stockholm and is going to be closed down in June, after one and a half years. Afterwards waits Malmö musikteater.

- It has been very good. We have sold out ever since the first day and we're going to play until the 15th of June. Then it's moved to Malmö, Benny Andersson tells in an interview before the première of "Mamma Mia" in Las Vegas.

According to Görel Hanser at Briggen Teaterproduktion, the Göteborgsoperan has refused to play Chess. Negotations are instead now going on with Malmö musikteater.

By Mikael Forsell / TT Spektra, To English by ABBAMAILer Robin Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

BENNY IN VEGAS!

From Expressen:

BENNY BACK IN THE USA

Las Vegas. 15,000 people see Mamma Mia every night around the world.

Last night there were 1,600 more.

The tenth production of the ABBA musical had its premiere at the major casino Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

- I haven't been here since the ABBA tour in 1979 and to be honest, I don't even remember where we played at the time, says Benny Andersson.

It was a long-awaited premiere.

- After the world premiere in London, we were already hearing that there was interest in staging Mamma Mia! here in Las Vegas, but Judith Kramer, our producer and partner, thought that it was better to go to Broadway first. She was probably right. The Las Vegas version has a local star Tina Walsh in the lead role as Donna. She last did EFX Live at the MGM Grand.

- I haven't seen any of the rehearsals but will meet the cast before the show tonight, says Benny Andersson.

Is there some status in staging a musical in the showbiz capital Las Vegas?

- No, I don't know. Of course, this town is so different to the other places. I don't even know if you can call Las Vegas a town, it's more an event.

Any other premieres for Mamma Mia coming up?

- There is a Dutch production coming in the autumn and at the beginning of next year, it's time for Seoul in South Korea.

Sweden then?

- Yes sure. There are plans but we are still thinking about whether it would be in Swedish or English. But bearing in mind that Mamma Mia is in German in Germany and in Dutch in the Netherlands, it should be possible in Swedish too.

What's happening with the Broadway version of Kristina från Duvemåla?

- There is a manuscript. All the text has been translated by Englishman Herbert Krezmer and we are totally happy with it. But before we can test drive Duvemåla in Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston or wherever, we must have a contract with a theatre on Broadway. That must work out first so there isn't three years between productions. Right now there are no go good theatres which are free. That's the problem.

What will happen with Chess after it finishes at Cirkus this summer?

- There will be a break for a while and then it will go to Malmö. The contracts aren't signed yet but they want to do it and we want it to happen there.

by Gunnar Nordström
translated by Grant Whittingham for ABBAMAIL

CHESS A GULDMASKEN FAVOURITE

Aftonbladet on-line has an article about Chess På Svenska including pics of Tommy Körberg and Helen Sjöholm

"Chess" is the great favourite in the nominations for the Guldmasken Awards (The Golden Mask). Chess has been nominated eight times and it is the big favourite when the Guldmasken Awards are handed out on the 3rd of March.

But Robert Gustafsson wont even get a nomination for "Revisorn" (The Accountant). Robert Gustafsson has for a long time been unchallenged as "The funniest man in Sweden", but his main role in "Revisorn" is not the best thing he has done. And the Guldmasken jury also agree. The jury includes Mark Levengood and Leif Kronlund, who instead have nominated Krister Henriksson in "Vem är rädd för Virginia Woolf?" (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ), Mikael Riesbeck in "Bröllop och jäkelskap" (Weddings and Foul Play) and Thomas Petersson in "Hotelliggaren" (The Hotel Guesbook) for best male character.

The Guldmasken Awards are prizes for theatrical performances which have not been sponsored by the government or the city
("privatteaterföreställningar"). The nominations for "Chess" are Helen Sjöholm, Anders Ekborg, Tommy Körberg, for Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and for Lars Rudolfsson. The latter one is nominated for the special jury prize.

Also "Hur man lyckas i affärer utan att bli utbränd" got plenty of nominations. (The musical Nanne is in / Linda's note). Peter Haber and Lena T Hansson was nominated for supporting acting in "Revisorn". The performances "Bröllop och jäkelskap" and "Hotelliggaren" have been awarded nine nominations each but the comedy group Galenskaparna's play "Casinofeber" (Casino Fever) only got one nomination - for stage setting.

By Jean Petterson
Thanks to ABBAMAILer Linda Granqvist, Stockholm, SWEDEN

GERMAN MAMMA MIA! SOUNDTRACK / CHESS TAPING

according to Intermezzo's site at: http://home.t-online.de/home/r.grafunder/ehome.htm, the Mamma Mia! German cast recording will be released in the European summer at the earliest.

Also, recording for the Chess På Svenska TV production is taking place on 16, 20 and 23 March according to www.ticnet.se

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

DONNA DAY!

I read in a Dutch newspaper Telegraaf about the Dutch Mamma Mia!:
In this article I read there will be a "Waterloo day". On 7 April all Donnas from around the world are invited to celebrate Mamma Mia! In Das Operettenhaus in Hamburg.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Pieter Wever, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

FRIDA FOR VEGAS

Billboard Magazine's Fred Bronson has reported that just Benny and Frida will be showing up for the Las vegas premiere of Mamma Mia! The article includes a brief interview with Benny, including some discussion on Chess and Kristina.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ryan Cameron, San Diego, USA

MARIE & PER RECEIVE THEIR MEDALS

Here's a link to an article with photos of Marie and Per getting their medals from the Swedish King.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Ryan Cameron, San Diego, California, USA

BENNY ARTICLE IN DN

There was an article that appeared in Dagens Nyheter on Friday regarding Benny and his investment in the hotel business in Stockholm. Click on the website link above to see it.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK

MARIE: DENIAL FROM THE DAILY ROXETTE

Following news taken from www.dailyroxette.com

STOCKHOLM - "Due to the information in today's Expressen we hereby deny the info given strongly," says Marie through her manager Marie Dimberg. Swedish tabloid Expressen claims today that Marie is feeling terrible and probably has more tumors.

"Marie's surgery has gone well and she is feeling the way one is expected to feel after an ordeal like this. Since the surgery almost four months ago, she is very well and keeps on receiving normal after-treatment and rehabilitation." Marie Dimberg says.

Marie has several times asked to be left alone out of respect for her and her family. This has not been respected and it is extremely sad to be needed to repeat this plea, Marie continues through Ms. Dimberg.

Both Per and Marie will attend the ceremony at the Royal Palace later today, to receive the King's Medal of the Eighth Size with Royal Blue Ribbon.

----------

Roxette "The Pop Hits" will be released on 24 March. Tracklisting:
1. Opportunity Nox
2. The Look
3. Dressed for Success (Chris Lord-Alge mix)
4. Dangerous (single version)
5. Joyride (single version)
6. The Big L.
7. Church of Your Heart
8. How Do You Do!
9. Sleeping in My Car (single edit)
10. Run to You
11. June Afternoon
12. Stars
13. The Centre of the Heart
14.Real Sugar
15. Little Miss Sorrow

Bonus EP (Limited Edition):
1. Stupid
2. Makin’ Love to You
3. Better Off On Her Own
4. Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla (You Broke My Heart)

The single "Opportunity Nox" is released on 24 February.

Aftonbladet will preview the film clip on 7 February.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Grant Whittingham, Sydney, Australia

MARIE FREDRIKSSON UPDATE

This article appeared in Expressen: it was immediately denied by Marie's management.
------------------------

A new shock for Marie Fredriksson

Today the singer Marie Fredriksson, 44, will receive a medal from the King (of Sweden). At the same time the world-famous star continues her fight against her cancer. Her doctors now believe that she's suffering from yet another tumour.

At the beginning of this week, a lump was discovered on the side of Marie Fredriksson's left breast, according to Expressen's sources. On Thursday next week the lump - which is believed to be a new tumor - will be examined. Using a needle the doctors will take cell samples, a so-called biopsy. She could receive the results the very same day.

The singer's condition is already very serious. During the fall and the winter she's been going through heavy treatments with radiation and cytotoxin, according to Expressen's sources. That kind of treatment is only used when there's a possibility that the cancer might spread.

She feels very ill

- She feels very ill, she throws up and her hair is falling out, a source says.

But the doctors now believe that the brain tumour which was removed in September last year wasn't the so-called primary tumour - that instead one of many metastasises

- I haven't received that information, says her manager Marie Dimberg.

The singer's brother Sven Arne Fredriksson has since the discovery of the brain tumor regularly been in touch with his sister:

- That's what worries me, that the cancer might have spread.

To find more possible tumours, Marie Fredriksson will next week also go through a MRI.

Unsure if she'll be able to meet the King

In spite of her serious illness, the singer had planned to accept "Konungens medalj" (the King's medal. Claes' note) in person today. At a ceremony at Stockholm's castle, she and her Roxette colleague Per Gessle will be rewarded for their efforts both in Sweden and abroad. But last night it was still unsure if Marie Fredriksson would have the strength to attend.

- Marie hasn't made a decision yet. I don't know if she'll be there, if she'll have the strength, says Marie Dimberg.

Ever since the singer was informed in September that she was suffering from a brain tumour, she has avoided being in public. Instead she has chosen to spend time with her family.

- You have to reassess everything when something like this happens, now we make use of the time in another way than we did before, says Sven Arne Fredriksson.

By Niclas Rislund

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

SWEDISH GRAMMIS NOMINATIONS

In expressen they have published a list of the nominees for Grammis (Swedish equivalent to the Grammy Awards). "Chess på svenska" received one nomination:

Open Category:
Chess På Svenska
Bob Hund, 10 År Bakåt & 100 År Framåt
Nationalsånger
Svenska Tjejrockband 1966-1999, Från Plommons Till Drain
Träd Gräs Och Stenar, Ajn Schwajn Draj

Two Björn & Benny-related artists (Helen and Peter) were nominated in the following category:
Folk(song)/Ballad Of The Year:
Helen Sjöholm
Peter Jöback
Allan Edwall
Åsa Jinder
Stefan Sundström

The full list of nominations can be viewed by clicking the website link above.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Claes Davidsson, Orlando, Florida, USA

CHARTS - WEEK 5

Canada: 20th Century Masters is down 9 to #91.
Australia: The Definitive Collection DVD is down 6 to #8.
Germany: The Definitive Collection is up 3 to #29.
Germany: Mamma Mia! Is back on the charts at #85.

Thanks to ABBAMAIL's Chart-Tart Dean Scapolo, Wellington, New Zealand

FINAL CHESS TICKETS ON SALE

The tickets for the final season of Chess at Cirkus will be going on sale on 4 February. This is up to and including the last night on 15 June 2003.

Thanks to ABBAMAILer Paul Carter, London, UK