“Mamma Mia!” reviewed by Amy Menzel IN MILWAUKEE

[rating=4]Who doesn’t need an escape of sorts right about now? Even if you’re not bummed that summer has come to an end, you might want to come in from the cool autumn weather and into the comfy confines of the Cabot Theatre to see Mamma Mia! running now through October 16. You can dance, you can jive…you can hoot and holler. Seriously! Executive Director of the Skylight Music Theatre, Jack R. Lemmon, says so. In fact, he encouraged it before the opening night performance Friday. And the audience did.

Mamma Mia! is an escape to Greece on the eve of Sophie Sheridan’s wedding. She’s a 20-year-old woman who is hoping the celebration of marriage will also be an occasion to meet her father. She’s narrowed the candidates down to three and, unbeknownst to her loving and hardworking mother, has invited all three men to the wedding. The dramatic tension of it all is eased by the feel-good music of ABBA. The feel-good music of ABBA inspires energy and dancing. And it all makes for a very fun evening at the theater.

The cast includes many talents making their Skylight debut, most notably Lisa Estridge in the role of Donna. Her performance of “The Winner Takes It All” is phenomenal. As in, the-audience-can’t-wait-to-cheer-and-one-person-can’t-wait-to-give-her-a-standing-ovation phenomenal. I had chills and I’m certain I was not the only one.

Familiar (and, quite possibly, favorite) faces to Skylight fans, include Kelly Brit (Sweeney Todd), Camara Stampley (Raisin), Ben George (A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine), Romesh Jayasundara (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Amanda Satchell (Fortunate Sons), and Stephanie Staszak (Hunchback, The Full Monty).

Director and Choreographer, Monica Kapoor, says, “The cast is so much fun! I would definitely want to take a vacation with them to Greece!” After seeing the show (and sticking around for the fun on stage and in the house after), I’m sure many of us would love to tag along. I’m not sure we’re invited to Greece, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to see Mamma Mia! at the Skylight.

“Mamma Mia!” will continue at The Skylight Theatre located at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee thru October 16th with performances as follows:

Sept 25th  at 2 p.m.

Wednesday 9/28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.,

Thursday 9/29 7:30 p.m.

Friday 9/30 at 7:30 p.m.

In October:

Tuesday the 4th at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  7:30 p.m.    October 6th will be the American Sign Language performance

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  and  Sundays  2 p.m.

Tickets start at $40

Box office  414-291-7800

visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org