Theatre producer Judy Cramer has donated $200,000 for refurbishing local British theaters through the Theatres Protection Fund operated by The Theatres Trust.
“Theatres are very precious,” the BBC quoted her as saying. “This country has the richest heritage of theatre anywhere in the world and I genuinely feel we must protect that glorious history for future theatre-going audiences.”
Craymer is creator/producer of “Mamma Mia!” and has produced 34 productions of the show around the world, according to her website. In 2002, she received a Woman of the Year Award in recognition for her international success with the musical. The same year the show was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical. In the Queen’s birthday honors list of 2007, she garnered an MBE for her contribution to the music industry. She also produced “Mamma Mia! The Movie” starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, which became the highest grossing musical film worldwide.
Craymer’s production has also been closely aligned with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and has so far raised nearly $1 million for BCRF.
She is currently producing “Viva Forever!” scheduled to open at the Piccadilly Theatre in December, following November previews. According to Craymer’s website, the show “is a contemporary comedy musical about family, friendship and trying to stay true to yourself in a world where everyone craves instant fame and will grab it at any price…a world where fortunes change on the click of an iPhone or the whim of a TV talent show host.” It features songs of the Spice Girls, and is written by Jennifer Saunders.
Craymer’s donation to the protection fund matches an April gift from composer/producer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
