After debuting on Broadway in 2001, “Mamma Mia” is still showing plenty of excitement with a sold out opening night performance at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami. Written by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of the Swedish popular music group ABBA, “Mamma Mia” is running until Sunday, February 23.
Long dismissed by critics as a silly pilot surrounding Sophie (played by actress Amy Weaver), a young woman who is searching to determine who among three men is her biological father, the popularity of “Mamma Mia” is still prevalent after 25 years because of the 22 hit songs made famous by ABBA.
There is so much fun surrounding the main story and all the many subplots, such as which man does Sophia’s mother Donna (Christine Sherrill) know to be Sophie’s father, will Sophie and her beau Sky (Grant Reynolds) be married, which of the three former boyfriends of Donna (actors Rob Marnell as Harry; Jim Newman as Bill and Victor Wallace as Sam) will give the bride to be away, among other plots, that you don’t mind if the story is totally unbelievable.
Arsht Center has offered a very talented cast that can act, dance and sing as showcased in so many production numbers Each cast member shines in singing and dancing to the ABBA hits.
The main plot has Sophie being raised on a Greek island by her never married mother Donna. Sophie schemes to find her dad once she reads her mother’s diary and learns that Bill, Harry and Sam were her suitors. Sophie invites each of Donna’s three would-be fathers to her upcoming wedding, much to Donna’s chagrin.
Actors Justin Sudderth (pepper) and Jalynn Steele sing the duet “Does Your Mother Know” in “Mamma Mia”, running now through Sunday, Feb. 23 at Arsht Center in downtown Miami.
The hijinks continue once the three men arrive and become more silly and musical as the truth of who Sophie’s father is begins to surface. Along the way, Donna recruits her two best friends (Jaylnn Steele as Tanya and Carly Sakolove as Rosie) to add a lot more allure to the story as well as perform in many entertaining production numbers.
The standout memorable production number that defines the “Mamma Mia” musical has Sherrill teaming with Sakolove and Steele in a rousing “Dancing Queen” recreating the youthful charm of the trio when they were known as Donna and the Dynamos.
Sakolove shines in her solo “Take A Chance On Me” in her pursuit of Bill. Steele and Pepper (Justin Sudderth) dance up a storm in the production number “Does Your Mother Know?”
The best duet had Sherrill and Wallace singing “S.O.S.”:in a flashback to their courtship and potential future.
Along with the cast of 32 dancers and singers, credit director Phyllida Lloyd, choreographer Anthony Van Laast, lighting director Howard Harrison, sound and scenic designers Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aiken,costume designer Lucy Gaiger and music director Matthew Croft for making “Mamma Mia” dazzle.
“Mamma Mia” cast in a dancing production in “Mamma Mia”, running now through Sunday, Feb. 23 at Arsht Center in downtown Miami.
As expected, the audience gave the cast plenty of standing ovation as many in the audience were dancing and singing to “Dancing Queen” as the encore closing production number.
“Mamma Mia”, a two act musical written by ABBA members Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, is running now through Sunday, February 23 at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami. Tickets are limited as most of the performances have been sold out. For tickets and information, go to arshtcenter.org or call 305-949-6722.
