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Posted in Unspecified
The 1st time I saw Mamma Mia, I was struck by its success in bringing together the music of ABBA with a story that we could care about. I also wondered about how well it would do in New York. Well, it’s a big hit in New York, and now it’s back here, better than in its pre-Broadway days.
Mamma Mia had a lot to worry about when it got to New York, because it had just opened shortly after September 11, 2001, and no one knew if or when people would be returning to the theatre in New York. Happily, people returned to the New York theatre relatively quickly, and Mamma Mia became a huge success. Even almost two years after it opened in New York, it’s sold out almost all its shows.
Catherine Johnson, an award winning playwright, put together a story that nicely incorporated the ABBA songs, and director Phyllida Lloyd, renowned for her work at London’s Royal National Theatre, stepped in to complete the picture. Mamma Mia began life in 1999 at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, and the rest, they say, is history. Mamma Mia surprised the critics by actually being a cohesive show that had a plausible, if slightly sticky sweet, story.
Mamma Mia tells the story of Sophie Sheridan, who lives on a Greek island with her mother Donna. Sophie is getting married, but there is one guest she wants at her wedding that she still has to invite. The problem is, she doesn’t know who he is – her father, that is. After looking at her mother’s diary, she discovers that her father could be one of three men: Sam Carmichael, Bill Austin or Harry Bright. Not knowing which one is the most likely suspect; she invites all three of them to her wedding. This, of course, is completely unknown to her mother. As the wedding draws near, the guests arrive, including the three potential fathers and Donna’s old friends, Tanya and Rosie, who were in a singing group with her when they were younger.
Mamma Mia is one of those shows that you can see over and over. Director Phyllida Lloyd, who has a great reputation directing opera, has injected such a sense of fun and mirth into this show that it’s just hard not to like it. Sure, some of the thematic elements are a little forced when a song has to be inserted in a scene, but it’s not unlike many musicals of the 1940’s and 50’s, musicals that only existed because the songs did. Mamma Mia is directed with such joy, that I didn’t even mind when a whole group of people behind me started singing along and clapping with some of the songs.
The cast in New York is top-notch; in fact in some ways even better than the original North American cast. As Sophie, Chilina Kennedy gives a highly energetic and well-sung performance. Dee Hoty, as Donna, is a powerhouse. Her performance is just the kind that can hold the show together (not that it needs it). Her acting is funny and quirky, and her singing is magnificent. Gary Lynch, Craig Bennett and Michael DeVries are very funny and touching as the three potential fathers. Cynthia Sophie and Rosalyn Rahn Kerins are delightful as Donna’s friends.
I recommend that every one see this show, or they will be missing out on a great experience.
3:15 PM - 12/18/2005
Posted in Unspecified
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December 19 - December 24, 2005 |
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December 27 - January 1, 2006 |
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January 3 - 8, 2006 |
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January 10 - 15, 2006 |
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January 17 - 22, 2006 |
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January 24 - February 5, 2006 |
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February 7 - 12, 2006 |
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February 14 - 19, 2006 |
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February 21 - 26, 2006 |
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February 28 - March 5, 2006 |
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March 7 - 12, 2006 |
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March 14 - 26, 2006 |
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March 28 - April 2, 2006 |
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April 4 - 9, 2006 |
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April 11 - 16, 2006 |
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April 18 - 23, 2006 |
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April 25 - 30, 2006 |
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May 2 - 7, 2006 |
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May 9 - 14, 2006 |
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May 16 - 21, 2006 |
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May 23 - 28, 2006 |
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May 30 - June 4, 2006 |
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June 7 - 18, 2006 |
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June 20 - 25, 2006 |
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June 27 - July 2, 2006 |
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July 4 - 16, 2006 |
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July 18 - 23, 2006 |
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July 25 - 30, 2006 |
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August 1 - 6, 2006 |
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August 8 - 13, 2006 |
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August 15 - 20, 2006 |
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August 22 - 27, 2006 |
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August 29 - September 3, 2006 |
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September 5 - 10, 2006 |
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September 12 - 17, 2006 |
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September 19 - 24, 2006 |
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September 26 - October 1, 2006 |
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October 3 - 8, 2006 |
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October 10 - 15, 2006 |
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October 17 - 22, 2006 |
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October 24 - 29, 2006 |
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November 7 - 12, 2006 |
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November 14 - 19, 2006 |
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November 21 - 26, 2006 |
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November 28 - December 3, 2006 |
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December 5 - 10, 2006 |
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December 12 - 31, 2006 |
3:13 PM - 12/18/2005
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Description
Mamma Mia
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