Mamma Mia -- As Good As Everybody Says It Is!
Written: Nov 22 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: High energy; great female vocalists; upbeat story; unexpectedly good script
Cons: Drags a bit at beginning/middle of second act
The Bottom Line: Awesome music, great entertainment, loads of fun---this is the kind of show you want to see over and over again. Well worth the money!
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| lushpup's Full Review: Mamma Mia! |
Let me start this by saying I'm not a big ABBA fan. During my "younger years", the only song by them I really liked was 'S.O.S.' The reason I decided to see this play was because of the plot---it's the day before a daughter's wedding. Mom (on her own) raised the daughter because Mom never married; never knew the daughter's father, for that matter. Daughter wants to know who her father is---pursues this after finding Mom's diary. Mom and daughter have heartfelt "last night" together before the wedding.
It looked like a wonderful play to see, especially since my wife and I have a teenage daughter. I knew the ABBA songs were an integral part of the play, but I figured I could tolerate those so long as the script was OK. I fully expected something along the lines of what I call "your standard run of the mill musical"---some script, some music, nothing spectacular.
Was I ever wrong!!! All I can say is --- if you get the chance to see this play, you HAVE to go --- it is absolutely awesome!! It is so much fun, you will leave the theatre wishing the play would never have ended!!! And you will also be a new ABBA fan, just like I am!!!!
This was undoubtedly the best, most uplifting musical my wife and I have ever attended. It was fun, it was touching, and the music was so well woven into the script that it got to the point we were disappointed when music did not happen during certain parts of the show. The writers so skillfully put 22 ABBA songs into the script that you didn't realize how many of their songs are in the script until you were on your way home and talking about the songs you recognized. Then you said to yourself "Wow! 22 songs in one play---that was awesome!"
My wife and I were fortunate to have seen the play with the original cast in London while on vacation out there a few weeks ago (we live in Colorado), but we understand the touring cast in the States is just as good. The musical talents of the cast were just awesome!!! Not only did they have the same musical talent of the original ABBA group, in some songs (e.g., "Gimme Gimme Gimme" and "Voulez Vous") the singers in the play sounded better than ABBA did! The musical support from the orchestra was awesome, as well. The lead-in "prelude" by the orchestra to each act set the stage (no pun intended) for the next hour of the play; during the play, the musical support was absolutely perfect. For many of the songs, the music sounded almost as if it were being performed by the original ABBA group!
The energy of the cast is very contagious, as well. They really pull you into the story-line within the first two minutes of the play, and you don't lose that interest level until you're on your way out of the theatre. My only complaint: the male actors, as much as they try, just do not have the same vocal qualities of the female actresses. It doesn't ruin the show by any stretch of the imagination, but the difference is rather obvious. In addition, the first act has great energy; the beginning and middle of the second act doesn't come close to that energy level, but it does have some very touching moments. The end of the second act catches up to the energy level of the first act, though.
My wife and I so thoroughly enjoyed this play we are bringing our four children to see it when it comes to our area during the "travelling tour". You really do not need to like/want to hear ABBA's music to enjoy this play. If you like a good musical, you'll want to see this. It's fun, it's got energy, it makes you feel good---in other words, it's the kind of entertainment we want and hope for from a play. I strongly, strongly recommend you go see it if you have the chance---you will thoroughly enjoy it!!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
lushpup
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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