In 2016 the ABBA musical Mamma Mia announced a farewell tour, it’s 5th Broadway Across Canada show in Calgary. Since then, 2 local companies have staged productions. There was understandably some grumbling when the shows return was announced as part of this season. With so many shows that have never come to Calgary, why does this show need to make its 6th run in 20 years again on the Jubilee Stage?
In part, to quote one of the many hits in the show – Money, Money, Money. Its simple set is easy to travel with. It’s not a complicated show technically. Most importantly, it sells tickets. Tuesday nights house was packed, and each of the shows on this run will continue that trend. If it works, keep doing it.
Something happened to me during the show, which I wasn’t particularly excited to see again. My toe started tapping. I started mouthing along to the songs and dancing a bit in my seat. I started swooning over Harry, Bill and Sam. I got goosebumps from Donna belting out Winner Takes It All. And as the audience cheered and amazing dance numbers like Voulez-Vous and Does Your Mother Know I went from being a grumpy reviewer to an engaged audience member having a great time.
Mamma Mia is proof that live theatre doesn’t have to be deep and introspective. It can just be fun and ridiculous. As people grow up with the show it changes perspective. The jokes about aging and being in your 40s hit differently. Where once fans were enthralled by the epic young men in half-neoprene dive suits, now we’re thinking "Damn, Harry in a towel and swim shorts was nice" and cheering when Sam rips open his shirt. While the insanely attractive cast has always been one of the selling points, if they can’t back it up then the show would fall flat. Not to worry, the current touring cast is phenomenal.
I was a Super Trooper and took a chance on seeing Mamma Mia again. There will undoubtedly be another run because fans keep saying I Do I Do I Do to seeing Mamma Mia.
And I’ll be one of them.
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Contributor Jason Clevett |
Locale Calgary |
Topic Broadway Across Canada | Theatre |
Mamma Mia
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
May 19 – 24
Tickets at ticketmaster
https://calgary.broadway.com/