[NEohioPAL] Review of "Mamma Mia!" at Great Lakes Theater

[Bob Abelman]

Seven times a charm at Great Lakes Theater’s ‘Mamma Mia!’ 



Bob Abelman

Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal

Member, American Theatre Critics Association



While the moral at the end of the jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!” is that true love comes but once in a lifetime, the show itself apparently comes with much greater frequency.



A national tour of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit has visited Playhouse Square in 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2016.  And, in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve not been a fan of any of them. Not a fan of the Swedish band Abba, whose pop songs make up the show’s score.  Not a fan of kitschy jukebox musicals.



The show’s sit-com storyline is a paper-thin vehicle to string together over 20 of Abba’s highly synthesized ‘70’s disco tunes, which often erupt in highly caffeinated fashion and with little provocation.  



But here’s the thing:  It all works in this Great Lakes Theater staging.  Remarkably so.



For more of this article, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/
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