The 25th Anniversary of the Musical Celebrating the Music of ABBA

Enter a Greek Island Paradise

Mamma Mia! What an exuberant jukebox musical. What a flashy, sequined, disco throwback of a musical. If you are now, ever have been, wish you had been, or know anyone who is/was a dancing queen, this is the show for you.

Set on a beautiful Greek Island, the set has the feel of the crystal blue sea and the white stucco buildings that dot the islands. With minimal visible effort, the set and lighting change from a taverna to a bedroom to the outdoors without interrupting the flow of the musical.

That Famous Jukebox Musical

The book by Catherine Johnson is centered around the songs of the Swedish group ABBA. Young Sophie has been raised on the island by her single mother Donna, owner of the taverna, and a fierce independent woman. Sophie is to be married soon to Sky and longs to find her father to “give her away” at her wedding. She invites the three men she finds listed in her mother’s diary 21 years ago to her wedding, keeping it a secret. They all show up, as do Sophie’s bridesmaids and Donna’s two pals from her “Donna and the Dynamos” disco group days. Questions abound. Who is Sophie’s father? Why is Donna upset by Sophie’s early marriage? Why is Donna so upset when she sees the men, one in particular? While the plot has a decidedly soapy/sitcom feel to it, there are some moments of genuine feeling between mother and daughter, Donna and Sam, and the music, songs, and dances are first rate.

Choreography by Anthony Van Laast is, well, exuberant to say the least. The scuba gear number, with the men decked out with huge swimfins, in addition to wet suits and snorkeling gear, has them high stepping in a comic, yet very coordinated manner that is delightful to watch. The choreography in general is fast paced and feels very much in keeping with the themes of the book and music.

The cast is excellent. Christine Sherrill as Donna has a powerful voice that is particularly effective in “Winner Takes All.” Jalynn Steele as her very wealthy, oft-married pal, Tanya, brings the house down with her number, “Does Your Mother Know”, as she flirts and runs from Pepper, a young man enamored of her, but also a little scared of her. Carly Sakolove is the third member of Donna and the Dynamos, and she is a dynamo, in a very broad comic role that includes the number “Take a Chance On Me”, as she chases Bill around the chairs set up for the wedding, he being one of the potential Dads. Victor Wallace is Sam, the man most likely to be Dad, who had a complicated relationship with Donna. Their duets, “S.O.S” and “Our Last Summer” speak to their longing for each other, and Donna’s fear of opening her heart again. Alisa Melendez as Sophie is a bit hysterical at times, showing the lack of maturity that led her to keep secrets from her mother and Sky. She is very effective in setting the stage with her song, “I Have a Dream,” that opens the show.

a Show that Will Never Stop

The glittery costumes of Donna and the Dynamos are terrific, and spill over to the Dads in the numbers after the curtain call. Do not leave your seats after the first curtain call. There is more to come that will delight you.

Mamma Mia! has been playing in the West End in London for 25 years, played on Broadway initially for 14, and has played in over 450 cities. It is chock-a-block with well known catchy tunes, is a visual feast, and has been entertaining audiences all over the world. ABBA DABBA DO!