After completing a 14- year run, the Broadway production of “Mamma Mia!” closed on Sept. 12, 2015. However, the hit has returned to the Winter Garden Theatre for a limited engagement, opening Aug. 14, for a six month run. As a fan of ABBA since childhood, and a long-time “Mamma Mia!” enthusiast, I secured tickets, and I saw the production on Aug. 27. It was even better than I could’ve imagined.
The musical follows Sophie, played by Amy Weaver, beginning the night before her wedding as she faces the struggle of trying to figure out who her father is. After reading her mother’s diary, Sophie invites three of her mother, Donna’s past lovers, all of whom are her potential father’s. The audience follows Sophie’s journey to find herself, and Donna, played by Christine Sherrill as she’s confronted with her past. While the show’s plot does pose an emotional journey of self discovery from both Donna and Sophie: it is a romantic comedy to its core, with its high beat music and happy ending. “Mamma Mia!” is a musical about the perseverance of love, and the importance of family.
After the release of the movie adaptation in 2008, and the increased use of social media, the fanbase of this musical has grown and with that, so have expectations. The vocals in the movie are undeniably incredible, most notably was Meryl Streep’s “The Winner Takes It All.” Due to the success of the movie, and that song in particular, which has begun to trend on TikTok, I had high expectations going into the live production for the showcase number. Sherrill did not only meet the expectations—she soared far past them. While there was light singing from the audience throughout the production, when Sherrill took stage for “The Winner Takes it All,” everyone became silent. I was covered in chills. This was my favorite song of the night.
Another notable performance was “Lay All Your Love on Me,” this one starred Weaver as Sophie and Grant Reynolds as Sky, Sophie’s fiancé. The chemistry between the couple was so poignant that it felt as if the audience were interrupting an intimate moment. Not only was this song an important testament to the love between the couple, but it was also an example of this production’s well-done and easily digestible blend of comedy and romance.
While “The Winner Takes It All” takes the cake for my favorite performance, “Slipping Through My Fingers,” a duet between Donna and Sophie, was surely the most touching. I had surprised my mom with tickets to this show, and sitting next to her through this song was an out-of-body experience. It’s safe to say that we ended the song in tears. We watched the mother-daughter duo mend their relationship, and Donna come to terms with her daughter’s maturity.
In addition to the live music, the acting of those in the cast was phenomenal. The most notable, and personal favorite, was that of Carly Sakolove as Rosie. Much of her character was comedic relief during heavy moments such as the performance of “Chiquitita.” However, her skill didn’t just shine in those heavier moments; it sparkled throughout the production. This was an afternoon filled with singing, tears, and uncontrollable laughing.
Aside from the musical itself, one of the main reasons it was such a superb experience was because of the audience. It was clear from the moment we began to line up outside the theatre door that this was an audience like no other. There was just a buzz radiating from everyone. After being off Broadway for about ten years, it’s fair to assume that there was a lot of anticipation from old fans. As well as a lot of excitement from a new generation of lovers who haven’t gotten the chance to see this musical live. A moment forever captured in my mind is when the beat of the first act dropped, the lights dimmed, and the room filled with excited squeals.
And at the end of the final act, and after bows, the actors of Donna, Rosie, and Tanya returned on stage in their “Donna and The Dynamos” costumes, followed by the rest of the cast. Not only did they do a reprise of previous songs, but they sang “Waterloo,” and the audience were permitted to stand up to dance and sing with them.
What topped this incredible experience off was the kindness and patience of the cast, as they signed our playbills and took photos with fans outside the theatre. From the buzz of the audience, the passion on stage, and the appreciation from the performers, the return of “Mamma Mia!” was an electrifying, memorable experience that I am so glad I was able to be a part of.
