Oh … ‘Honey, Honey.’
Mamma Mia!, the jukebox musical featuring the music of 1970s Swedish pop group ABBA that went on to become a worldwide sensation after opening in the fall of 2001—where it remains to this day—and even spawned a 2008 movie adaptation starring Meryl Streep, is playing at The Fabulous Fox Theatre until Feb. 21. Featuring a cast of spirited if vocally mixed performers and maybe a bit too workman-like, an energy perhaps stemming from frequent repetition of the road in parts, the show is nevertheless a cotton candy-like confection. It may not be that filling and you might not want to admit how much you enjoyed it, but it sure tastes good in the moment.
The story, for those still unfamiliar with the plot of what has essentially become a phenomenon, follows 20-year-old Sophie Sheridan and the events unfolding around her wedding on the Greek island where she lives with her mother, Donna. She has never met her father and, after going through her mother’s diary, discovers three men who might possibly fit the bill. After the men arrive on the island for the wedding, thinking Donna has sent them all invitations, the musical unfolds.
Secrets will be revealed! Love will be professed! Neon jumpsuits will be donned!
In the role of Donna, Michelle Dawson is full of energy, but at least at Tuesday’s performance, was frequently overpowered by the orchestration. It’s clear that she has a good voice, but one has to wonder if it’s a voice perfectly suited for this kind of musical. Though she has more success with the more emotional songs, Dawson’s voice tends to get lost in most of the musical numbers, overshadowed by the orchestra and other performers. Nevertheless, she looks to be having a good time and, in this particular show, that makes all the difference.
Liana Hunt is bubbly and sweet in the role of Sophie and the secondary cast—including Matthew Ashford, John Sanders and Vincent Corazza—are all infectiously energetic, but the best in show honors probably belong to actresses Kittra Wynn Coomer and Rachel Tyler as Donna’s friends and former singing partners, Tanya and Rosie. Both have a distinct comic flair that they bring to their roles, and they play extremely well off of one another. Tyler’s show-stopping number “Does Your Mother Know” is probably the highlight of the show.
In short, the story may not be Shakespeare and the voices might not all be at their peak, but Mamma Mia! is the type of show in which most of this barely matters. Audiences, by and large, will have a good time as long as they leave their inner-Grinch at home and give themselves over to the flashing lights, infectious charm and musical fluffiness that make the musical the crowd pleaser that it is.
Oh … and if I may, just a quick note to any parents out there: I know you’re always on the lookout for some semi-cultural experience to bring your kids to. I get it. After hours of “Dora the Explorer” or whatever it is kids watch these days, it must be refreshing to get out of the house and sit in a theater full of grownups. You’ve seen the commercials, and you think all the flashing neon lights and day glow outfits should keep your kid interested for at least a couple of hours.
But unless you want your five year old to see a 20-something actress mime fellatio on a middle aged man during the middle of a song implicitly about a group of women’s active libido, I recommend leaving the little tykes at home with a babysitter. I’m sure the kid sitting behind me with his father might have been a little confused.
For more information about Mamma Mia! in all its current incarnations, including the national tour, visit www.mamma-mia.com.
For more information about The Fox Theatre and its current season, visit www.fabulousfox.com. The Fox is located at 527 N. Grand in The Grand Center Arts District.
