While the Jubilations concept has always been about taking pop culture – films and TV shows primarily – and putting a musical spin on them, doing a spoof of an actual musical, at first glance, seems like a bad idea. Taking the original Mamma Mia concept but switching a daughter on her wedding day to a son on his graduation day, seems almost desperate. Some things shouldn't be messed with, and that was my thought going into the show.

At first I was confused – the walls are decorated with paintings of famous Calgarians like Lanny McDonald, Paul Brandt, and Jann Arden. It actually had to be explained that we were attending the grand opening of a club that is staffed by celebrity impersonators. We had Dorothy serving us at one point during the evening. The obligatory "friend of Dorothy" comment fell flat... kids these days.

Once the show started, I found myself really enjoying it despite my reservations on the concept.

A huge part of that is due to casting. The adorable pair of Paul (Jeff Rivet) and Brad (Tyler Pinsent) scrap in a way that only brothers, who very much love each other, can. Add in the chemistry with their father Norman, played by Gabriel Stinson, and the show works.

The female leads, Samantha (Danielle Dion), Harriet (Brenda Milligan-Davis) and Billie (Connie Manfredi), more than hold their own.  Nevertheless, the heart of the show is the trio of boys, and it comes through. Like in the movie, the three possible Moms are Sam, Harry and Bill.

The music in the show is ABBA and the Bee Gees. Really, nothing can be bad with ABBA music and you can't help but sing along quietly as recognizable song after recognizable song comes on. That is part of what made Mamma Mia work, and the same applies to Mamma Mio.

In addition to the show, the Jubilations kitchen staff have really upped their game and I was impressed with the entree and dessert. Dinner and a show is rarely a bad deal.

If you enjoyed the original, love ABBA, and/or are a fan of the Jubilations product, you will want to check out Mamma Mio.