My blog inspiration book “Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book"
reminds us to “frolic” and a frolic is a good way to describe the musical, “Mamma Mia.” It’s a show based on the songs from the popular 1974 ABBA album with the same title. This show moves with cheerfulness and excited energy from the beginning to the end. You can’t help but relax and enjoy it like a mini vacation as you sing along with the familiar pop/dance album hits "Dancing Queen”, "Knowing Me Knowing You”, "Money, Money, Money”, “Super Trouper”, “SOS”, "Voulez-Vous”, “Thank you for the Music”, “Winner Takes it All” and of course the title track, “Mamma Mia”.
reminds us to “frolic” and a frolic is a good way to describe the musical, “Mamma Mia.” It’s a show based on the songs from the popular 1974 ABBA album with the same title. This show moves with cheerfulness and excited energy from the beginning to the end. You can’t help but relax and enjoy it like a mini vacation as you sing along with the familiar pop/dance album hits "Dancing Queen”, "Knowing Me Knowing You”, "Money, Money, Money”, “Super Trouper”, “SOS”, "Voulez-Vous”, “Thank you for the Music”, “Winner Takes it All” and of course the title track, “Mamma Mia”.
Reflection
There is a good reason that Mamma Mia had a 15 year run
on Broadway closing in 2015. It's not a cerebral play but aims to just make you
feel good as you enjoy the music. The plot is light and simple. In fact, a woman that I met after the show described it as a “vacation musical”.
 |
| Rosie, Donna and Tanya |
Donna (Sally Ann Triplett) is a single mom whose three past lovers travel to a Greek Island for her daughter, Sophie’s (Erika
Henningsen) wedding. Sophie secretly invited them because she wanted to find out her father's identity so that he could walk her down the aisle.
Donna’s two best friends also join the celebration.
Tanya (Michelle Dawson) is a wealthy three time divorcee and Rosie (Lori Hammel) is single and independent.
The three friends reminisce about their wilder days and past participation in an all girl singing group.
When Donna encounters all three ex-lovers, Sam (Matt
Bogart) the architect, Harry (Rick Negron) a British banker, and Bill (Christian
Whelan) a writer, she sings, “mamma mia, hear we go again…
my my, how can I resist ya..mamma mia, does it show again…just how much I
missed ya..”
 |
| Finale |
Sophie never finds out who is her biological father (because it could be any of the three men) but it really does not
matter because this show is a party that revolves around the music. You’re on vacation,
singing along, and getting up and dancing during the finale when the company returns for a reprise of “Mamma Mia”.
This audience was on their feet as the finale continued with “Dancing Queen ” with Donna, Tanya, and Rosie performing in ABBA costumes and then the song “Waterloo” where Sam, Bill, and Harry joined in with matching ABBA like garb. It’s a summer folic-it's a vacation!
This audience was on their feet as the finale continued with “Dancing Queen ” with Donna, Tanya, and Rosie performing in ABBA costumes and then the song “Waterloo” where Sam, Bill, and Harry joined in with matching ABBA like garb. It’s a summer folic-it's a vacation!
(Don't miss the fun with the Pittsburgh CLO production of Mamma Mia that runs until August 6th at the Benadum Center for the Arts. Watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcNRKkT_yuI )
Other Source
Broadway sound track https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLyyOQnkVAM&list=PLbRZ2RKmQmL6J28t7iI7ZTfKy6o0zeuD7