GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Actor Blake Price has been travelling across the country from city to city in the musical tour of “Mamma Mia!” The show made its way to Grand Rapids this week for a six-day run at DeVos Performance Hall.

From the colorful costumes to the classic ABBA hits, Price told News 8 that this show has you embracing your inner “Dancing Queen.”

“The beauty of ‘Mamma Mia!’ is its reputation proceeds it,” Price said. “If you don’t know the show ‘Mamma Mia!’ you’re probably familiar with ABBA music and ‘Dancing Queen,’ ‘Mamma Mia’ the song. It spans all countries, all generations and this show is so multi-generational, it’s so female empowering, it’s everything under the sun.”

Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in "Mamma Mia" in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Joan Marcus/Broadway Grand Rapids)
Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in “Mamma Mia!” in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Joan Marcus/Broadway Grand Rapids)

Even after travelling all across the country, Price said this week in particular was extra special.

“Magical, it really is. I keep saying that word because there’s no way to really encapsulate being able to be in your hometown, getting to spend time with your family and then get to go do the thing you love at night. It’s beyond anything I can really comprehend because I haven’t had the chance to do it,” he said.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Price told News 8 that he attended East Kentwood High School, then studied theater at Western Michigan University. He and his wife, Kat, and his dog now live in New York City, where’s he’s been a full-time actor for more than a decade.

Grand Rapids native Blake Price, middle row second from left in the priest costume, got to perform in "Mamma Mia" in his hometown. (Courtesy Joan Marcus/Broadway Grand Rapids)
Grand Rapids native Blake Price, middle row second from left in the priest costume, got to perform in “Mamma Mia!” in his hometown. (Courtesy Joan Marcus/Broadway Grand Rapids)

He said while this isn’t his first touring production, it is his first time performing in his hometown as a professional. 

“Being able to come back and do a show that’s not only this fun but also just needed right now to bring some joy back into a difficult time for people, and bringing family back into the mix and bringing people together, is really special,” he said. 

Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in "Mamma Mia" in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Blake Price/Broadway Grand Rapids)
Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in “Mamma Mia!” in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Blake Price/Broadway Grand Rapids)
Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in "Mamma Mia" in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Blake Price/Broadway Grand Rapids)
Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in “Mamma Mia!” in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Blake Price/Broadway Grand Rapids)
Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in "Mamma Mia" in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Blake Price/Broadway Grand Rapids)
Professional actor Blake Price got to perform in “Mamma Mia!” in his hometown of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy Blake Price/Broadway Grand Rapids)

It’s an experience Price said has come full circle and that he does not take for granted.

“Having my family see me on stage doing the thing I love to do. Some of them did not even seeing me perform professionally, the last thing they saw me do was ‘Sweeney Todd’ at East Kentwood High School way back in 2012,” he said. “So for them to get to see me do this at this level, it’s just — I could see it on their faces what it meant to them, and I can’t even put into words what it meant to me.”