Mama Mia – Courtesy of Joan Marcus. Used with permission.
I had the unexpected pleasure of sitting next to a couple of friends at Tuesday’s opening night performance of a 25th Anniversary North America tour of “MAMA MIA” presented by Broadway in Indianapolis at Clowes Hall at the Butler Arts Center. One of them shared that he had seen the has become a timeless musical, twenty times all over the world. Under normal circumstances, I would have thought he was exaggerating and been skeptical, but since I had seen it four times previously, myself, I knew he was serious. Frankly, with its feel-good message about love and the importance of family and friendship, how could it go out of fashion?
Mama Mia – Courtesy of Joan Marcus. Used with permission.
Since premiering in London in 1999 and on Broadway in 2001, the infectious, frothy musical, produced by women for women, has drawn countless fans around the world and has become a cultural phenomenon. The funny, romantic tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island, all set to ABBA’s exhilarating, if not bouncy songs, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people all over the globe. It was also turned into two record-breaking movies – “MAMA MIA! The Movie (2008) and “MAMA MIA Here We Go Again” (2018), both starring the incomparable Meryl Streep as independent, empowered Donna, the main character. The films also starred a host of big names such as Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Lily James and Cher.
With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The stage production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch
Mama Mia – Courtesy of Joan Marcus. Used with permission.
The company playing Clowes Hall, consists of superb triple threat performers, with Christine Sherill as Donna, Alisa Melendez as Sophie, Louis Griffin as Sky, Jaylynn Steele as Tanya, Carly Sokolove as Rosie, Victor Wallace as Sam, Jim Newman as Bill and Rob Marnell as Harry.
All the leads were impressive and wildly talented but what was most notable, is that they all turned in outstanding vocal performances as they sang ABBA’s jukebox repertoire consisting of such hits as “Dancing Queen,” “Honey Honey,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Mama Mia,” “Super Trouper,” “The Name of the Game,” and all the others that have become synonymous with the bubble gum pop genre.
The choreography, sets, lighting, costumes in the slick production are what one would expect with a Broadway show, as was the eight-piece band that effectively played the show’s rock score.
It occurred to me while watching the show, that there is reason I would sit through it five times and my friend who was adjacent — who has witnessed it multiple times as well. With its cheerful, sunny disposition, and successful conclusion, “Mama Mia,” is simply addictive. One would have to have veins filled with ice water not to enjoy. or at least appreciate it, for its positivity and heart. If you’re a cynic, this show’s not for you.
Broadway in Indianapolis reports that single tickets for the run. which continues through Sunday, March 3, are still available. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and by calling 1-800-982-2787 Rush tickets are also available for single seats, at the door — two hours before, with 50% off up to two tickets.
