[NEohioPAL] Berko review: MAMMA MIA! @ Palace Theatre

[Roy Berko]

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*MAMMA MIA!, back again and totally entertaining*



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)



When a touring production of a hit Broadway show returns to the area for
yet another visit, the question asked is, “Is this as good as not only the
original production, but of the last edition that hit town?”



Just to make this clear at the start, Yes, the newest incarnation of MAMMA
MIA!, now on stage at the Palace Theatre, is a thoroughly entertaining
theatrical experience.  The quality of the acting is excellent, the show is
nicely mounted, and except for an overly loud sound system, which had some
squeals and which projected the music so loudly that the woman in front of
me took out her hearing aid, things went well.  The audience was on its
feet for the extended curtain call, dancing, clapping, and singing.



BTW…don’t run for the exits as soon as you think the show is over.  It’s
not.  There is a remix of lots of the songs, some new dance moves, and an
interactive love affair between the dynamic cast and the audience.



MAMMA MIA! is a unique script.  Most story-line shows have a lyricist,
composer and book writer who work together to develop the script.  This
show didn’t follow that pattern.  The songs were all developed before there
was any thought of a musical play.



The music and lyrics, by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with additional
songs by Stig Anderson, were all performed by ABBA, the Swedish pop-rock
group, in their concerts and albums.  Catharine Johnson loosely wove a
story around the songs.  The result is a delightful, basically
well-integrated musical.   The songs and spoken lines generally flow
together to develop a cute chick-flick story.



It’s an unnamed island in Greece.  Sophie, a twenty year-old, is about to
get married to Sky.  Her single mom, Donna, who owns a small island resort,
has never revealed the identity of Sophie’s father.  Sophie unearths her
mother’s diary from the year before Sophie’s birthday.  Romances with three
different men are revealed.  Any of them could be “daddy.”  Sophie wants to
be given away by her dad, so, without her mother’s knowledge, she invites
all three to the wedding, hoping to find out the sperm donor.  Other
wedding guests include Tanya and Rosie, Donna’s former 60s girls group
members, and Ali and Lisa, Sophie’s buds.



Through humorous twists, pseudo dramatic instances, and some great music, *The
Winner Takes All*.   Along the line the audience is rocked with such songs
and production numbers as *Dancing Queen*, *Does Your Mother Know*, *I Have
a Dream*, *Our Last Summer*, *Super Trouper*, and *Voulez-Vous*, leaving
the audience shouting, *Thank You for the Music*.  There is no way you
aren’t going to leave the theatre without singing one or more of the
score’s great songs on the way to your car.



Director Phyllida Lloyd has added some line and story interpretations that
enhance the story, such as having Kaye Tuckerman, who plays Donna,
interpret the role with a slightly hard edge, instead of the cutesy
interpretation that is so common.  It makes Donna into a real person.



Choreographer Anthony VanLaast does a nice job of reinterpreting the dance
numbers.  Martin Koch’s musical interpretation marred by the overly loud
sound system.  The songs are well sung, with word meanings being stressed.



The cast is excellent.  Cloe Tucker sings well and is adorable as the
conflicted Sophie.  Happy Mahaney is a dynamic dancer, and well interprets
and sings the role of Sky, Sophie’s husband to be.  Alison Ewing is
delightful as the swinging Tanya.  Mary Callanan steals the show as the
husband seeking (*Take A Chance on Me) *Rosie.



Studly Christian Whelan (Sam), Crocodile Dundee-like John-Michael Zuerlein
(Bill) and Paul Deboy, as gay Brit, Harry, are excellent as the three
candidates for “who’s my dad?”  They are especially delightful in the
curtain call.



*CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: The newest revival of MAMA MIA! is once again an
audience pleasing delight.  If you haven’t seen it before, go!  If you
have, go again!  This is an excellent touring company!*



Tickets for MAMMA MIA!, which runs through July 22 at the Palace Theatre,
can be ordered by calling 216-241-6000 or going to www.playhousesquare.org.


 Roy Berko's commentaries and reviews appear on coolcleveland.com,
neohiopal.com,artsamerica.com,

and broadwaynews.com.  His blog is: www.royberko.info


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