Showbiz Queenstown's most ambitious production ever, Mamma Mia!, will open its doors to the public tomorrow night.
The musical, based on Swedish super-group ABBA's greatest hits, is ``without doubt the biggest musical to be staged in Queenstown'', director Doug Kamo said.
``It's a big, feel-good party family musical that's got all the great songs from ABBA in it, and the biggest production values that Queenstown's ever seen in a musical.''
The cast of 30 was in an ``exceptional place'' after rehearsing five nights a week and eight hours every Sunday since mid-August.
Mr Kamo said he had been astonished by the cast's ability to ``soak everything up''.
``We set the entire show in 11 rehearsals. That would be an incredible stat for a pro theatre company.
``In fact, I haven't worked for any pro theatre company that's done that.''
Showbiz Queenstown had pulled out all the stops for the production, he said.
``This is a massive undertaking for Showbiz. You've got to remember that everyone involved in this production, apart from the creative team, are volunteers.''
He estimated 150 people were involved, including cast, crew, contractors, production staff and those working in front-of-house, marketing and administration.
The set, which took up nearly half the arena, was ``epic''.
``It's a massive, massive set.''
The set and costumes had been professionally designed and made for a consortium of 10 theatre societies that secured the rights for Mamma Mia! in 2014.
Mr Kamo, a Dunedin-based former Queenstowner who has directed more than 60 shows over two decades in New Zealand and Australia, directed Showbiz musicals Chess and Rent while living in the resort from 2004 to 2006.
He also returned in 2009 to direct Les Miserables.
Mamma Mia! starts tomorrow at 8pm and continues until Saturday (two shows on Saturday at 2pm and 8pm). Tickets are available from Eventfinda. There are door sales from 6.30pm for night shows and from 12.30pm for Saturday's matinee.