***** There’s no doubt why Mama Mia! is celebrating it’s 25 anniversary as a Live touring production. Few shows put a smile on your face from the overture thru the last number of the show the way that Abba music will do through an extended post-curtain call concert that guarantees everyone leaves the theater with a smile on their faces and singing the songs now locked in their head.
The music of Abba is the thread that weaves together an admittedly thin romantic comedy but with such enjoyment and pleasure no one cares about the weak plot or unlikely story.
You likely know the story: young Sophie raised by her single mother and born 20 years ago, is about to get married in Greece. The show opens with her reading her mother’s diary only to learn that her actual father may be one of three men her mother had relations with all around the same time. So she invites the three men to fly to Greece to attend her wedding. I’m not sure how many people would fly to Europe to attend a wedding of someone they don’t know, but these chaps do. And yes, today, Maury Povich would take a quick DNA test to find out who is the father, but then all the fun of this high energy show would be wasted. I’ll take the fun that unfolds throughout the 2.5 hour production (including one 20 minute intermission).
The story covers the time period beginning three months before Sophie’s wedding to fiancé Sky (played by Grant Reynolds), up to the day before the wedding and culminating with the wedding itself.
Chicago’s very own Christine Sherrill plays Donna Sheridan, Sophie’s Mom. Having interviewed Christine for my podcast (which you can watch/listen to at Around the Town Chicago below) I knew she was funny, engaging and an actor of high energy. But, truth be told, I did not expect the power of her voice which is striking, and matched by the depth of her performance even in this light hearted rom-com. Simply put, Christine Sherrill is stunning. One would think that having been involved with the show for over 15 years (including an extended residency with the show in Las Vegas), she would have tired of the music and the show. Nothing could be further from the truth. She shared with me her ongoing love of the role, and the strength of her performance confirms that without a doubt.
All of the character actors in Mamma Mia! shine with humor and warmth, but Donna is the heart of the show. And the relationship with daughter Sophie (warmly played by Alisa Melendez) brings a depth and intimacy that stands out in an overall light-hearted show.
The supporting cast all sport fantastic voices and strong stage presence. Donna’s “former” singing partners (they were likely a version of The Supremes in their old performing days) also are in attendance for the wedding and add great humor (with Rosie wonderfully played by Carly Sakolove), and just a bit of funny pretentiousness of friend Tanya (superbly played by Jalynn Steele, who can also be heard/seen in my Behind the Curtain podcast interview) who we learn has enjoyed spending the millions of dollars of her former 3 husbands!
The three potential fathers (and I’m not giving away any spoilers here) are all likable and any one of them would have made a great dad for Sophie. It’s important to this story that the audience like all of these men as rooting for one or another would be a distraction. From the most likely candidate, Sam Carmichael (warmly played by Victor Wallace), to the journalist Bill Austin (played carefreely by Jim Newman) who would be more than satisfied just to stay on his career track, and Harry Bright (empathically played by Rob Marnell) the least likely father candidate (for reasons unveiled in Act II, that I won’t give away here).
The ensemble is energetic, delightful to watch and appear to be having as much fun playing their roles as the audience is watching them perform them.
I looked around at the audience from time to time and all I saw were smiling faces, swaying bodies and many wanting to burst out in song but fortunately, kept the volume sufficiently low (I admit, I was guilty of being one of those folks).
One suggestion: if you are one to head for the door when you sense the curtain call is about to begin…Don’t! Stay in your seat….the unexpected fun you are about to have will be worth the extra 5 minutes it will take you to exit the theater…and don’t worry, the humming going on in your head will keep you more than occupied as you head to your car with a smile on your face. You’ll regret an early departure.
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The 25th Anniversary Tour of Mamma Mia! Plays thru May 19th with the Following schedule:
Tuesday thru Thursday at 7pm (Weds matinee at 1pm on May 8 and May 15)
Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm
Sundays at 1pm (with an additional performance on May 5th)
Tickets can be purchased at: www.broadwayinchicago.com
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Mamma Mia!”
Paul M. Lisnek, J.D., Ph.D.
WGN-TV Political Analyst
Anchor, “WGN-TV Political Report”
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