Featuring the music of the rock group ABBA, Mamma Mia has been playing to sold-out houses in London, Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto. The new production in New York is the most eagerly awaited musical of the season, and financially, the most anticipated. Advance sale for Mamma Mia is expected to top the record of $37 million set by Miss Saigon (Some say The Lion King reached $40 million, but Disney won’t confirm.)

For the $100 top ticket price, the show boasts ABBA crowd pleasers such as “Dancing Queen” and “The Winner Takes It All.” This is not the first Broadway show based on ABBA’s hit songs: In 1988, a $6-million production called Chess, which traveled here from London, changed about as much as a show can change going from shore to shore. The changes weren’t for the better. Despite a plethora of hit tunes including, “One Night in Bangkok”, and a glowing performance by Judy Kuhn (voice of Pocahontas in the Disney movie), it closed in a matter of weeks.

No such fate awaits Mamma Mia. The story of the musical has nothing to do with the famous rock group. Built around a mother-daughter relationship, the action begins on the evening of the 20 year-old daughter’s wedding. Sophie has invited three of her single mother’s old boyfriends in the hope of finding out who her real rather was. You can take it from there.

Recommended for 13 and up.

George A. Wachtel is President of Audience Research & Analysis, a market research firm in New York City which specializes in live, film and visual arts research. He has been taking his daughter, Amanda, to Broadway shows since age two-and-a-half.