By Bob Nesoff
Mamma Mia playing at New York’s Winter Garden Theater had one major disappointment…It’s on a limited run with the last performance on February 1. So, if you want to see one of the most enjoyable show on Broadway, get up and get your tickets now.
Mamma Mia has been seen in various iterations. It’s been a movie; a Broadway show and is back once again on the stage in New York. The Music of ABBA permeates the show and while some critics over the years have called it “Juke Box Music,” they know not what they speak. Just ask the audience.
There are shows that bring the audience to a near frenzy, but few match the Winter Garden
production. From the “get-go” to the closing numbers the audience applauded, tapped its feet and in many cases, sang along with those on the stage.
The theme could have been R-Rated, but it was so much fun that no one noticed the fact that a young woman, Sophie Sheridan (Amy Weaver) about to get married, never knew who her father was. There are three suspects, meaning her mother, Donna Sheridan (Christine Sherrill) must have…you know what, with three men.” And she obviously did it in three nights.
Now the Sophie is getting married and what’s to know who he is. So, she learns there are three suspects and without telling mom, she invites all three to the nuptials. The three, Sam (Victor Wallace), Bill (Jim Newman) and Harry (Rob Marnell) are so perfectly cast that it’s almost out of real life.
Donna has built a life for herself on the fictional Greek Island of Kalokairi and operates the local tavern. Suddenly her paramours arrive, not knowing what they are doing there. And, obviously, Donna is not only shocked by their sudden presence, but unhappy to see them. But hey, this is musical comedy/fantasy and it all works out in the end.
The audience especially came to life with songs such as “Super Trooper,” “Money, Money,
Money,” and Donna, along with her two besties who have come for the wedding, Rosie (Carly
Sakolove) and Tanya (Jalynn Steele) don’t need a bottle of Ouzo to provoke laughs , singing
“Take A Chance On Me,” and “Does Your Mother Know?” The trio are perfectly matched for
the roles they play. And, surprise of surprises, Rosie connects with one of the unsuspecting dads.
There has to be conflict and it arises between Sophie and her fiancé, Sky, over the problems
arising from the mishugas over the potential dads, Donna’s angst at the three “dads” suddenly showing up. But fear not, ABBA’s songs are light and much fun. And that carries over to virtually every aspect of this light and enjoyable show.
In its original run Mamma Mia brought in a box of more than $7 million and was the ninth
longest running show on Broadway. It spawned more than 50 productions for the road and even played in China. No politics. Just out and out fun, music, singing and dancing.
The Winter Garden production is a conglomerate of Mamma Mia’s history and will continue to delight audiences.
As mentioned earlier, the show leaves Broadway after the February 1 performance moves from Broadway to Canada and then to London’s fabulous West End. Unless you have a slew of air miles on your favorite airline, go to the box office or on-line and grab a set of tickets. Do it soon as several of the dates are on the verge of selling out. So, don’t let the show be “Slipping through my fingers.”
Photos courtesy of Joan Marcus Tickets
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