The current touring production of Mamma Mia playing until Sunday, April 20th marks the 4th time in 9 years that the show has played in Calgary. With a 2008 hit film adaptation, multiple sold out shows including in Calgary, and continued runs in London and on Broadway, it was the longest running musical in Las Vegas, returning to the city in May. It is clear that the ABBA musical is unstoppable.
For those not familiar with the plot, which takes place on the Greek island of Kalokairi, 20 year old Sophie (Chelsea Williams) is getting married. Raised by single mom Donna (Georgia Kate Haege), she has always wondered who her father was. She finds Donna's diary from 1979 and discovers that her mother had dot dot dot (“what they called it in the olden days” she quips) with three men the summer before she was born. Hoping to discover which one is her father, she invites all three men to the wedding. As expected, drama, hilarity, and lots and lots of ABBA ensues.
Mamma Mia works based on the strength of the cast and the familiarity with the ABBA catalog. The touring production is strongly cast. Sophie's possible dads Sam (Jeff Drushal), Bill (Michael Colavolpe) and Harry (Mark A. Harmon) are well portrayed by the actors, with Drushal standing out in numbers like Knowing Me Knowing You. Best friends Tanya (Gabrielle Mirabella) and Rosie (Carly Sakolove) play for comedy and do so wonderfully. Handsome Chris Stevens is adorable as Sophie's boyfriend Sky. One could literally hear gasps from the audience when he was stripped down to his underwear as Sky is dragged off to his bachelor party in one of the many highlights of the show.
Mamma Miais not deep, thought provoking theatre. What it is, is a lot of fun, high energy, and leaves you tapping your toes and dancing in the aisles at the end of the show. Of the three times I have seen the show in Calgary, this is my favourite production. So this Easter weekend grab some Money Money Money, and take your Honey Honey to Mamma Mia. You will be glad you took a chance.