"Mamma Mia!"
Fisher Theatre
Detroit, Mich.
Through March 29
Mamma Mia, here we go again! The national touring production of the 1999 musical “Mamma Mia!” opened its stop in Detroit this week, bringing an entertaining evening of comedy, dance and ABBA classics to the Fisher Theatre stage.
After 20-plus years and two high-profile films, the somewhat bizarre story is pretty well-known: 20-year-old bride Sophie, raised on a remote Greek island by a single mom, is determined her unknown father will walk her down the aisle – an apparent missing piece in discovering her true identity. After reading her mother’s diary, she sends out invitations to three possible candidates, all of whom arrive. Shenanigans ensue amid a string of hits from Swedish pop band ABBA, including the show’s title song.
Arguably the most popular of the jukebox musicals – at least in recent decades – ABBA has long been a crowd favorite, although it’s not necessarily mine. The show is fun, light and a wonderful option for those looking for an evening of mindless entertainment, assuming you’re an ABBA fan. And the touring production checked all the boxes to a seemingly happy departing audience.
While I’d seen both movies, this was my first time seeing a stage production. It was pretty much what I’d expected. The performers had strong vocals and comedic timing, capturing the over-the-top natures of an almost cartoonish cast of characters, singing songs that are beloved, even if they don’t do much to advance the story.
Jessica Crouch's performance as Sophie’s mother Donna showcased her powerhouse belt in “The Winner Takes it All.” Jalynn Steele as Donna’s glamorous diva friend Tanya and her flirtatious duet with the much younger love interest Pepper, played by Dominic Young, was another highlight of the show, with fun, impressive dance moves and great energy between the two.
The dancing overall was a bit disappointing. While the cast knew their choreography, it didn’t feature any of the turns, jumps, acrobatics and other moves you’d see from professional dancers, which seemed like a missed opportunity for a musical based on high-energy pop tunes. I did enjoy the men’s silly scuba dive dance during the bachelor party scene.
“Mamma Mia!” is essentially a big ABBA dance party. It doesn’t pretend to be much otherwise. While I generally prefer shows with more substance, it’s an option for those looking to escape real life for a couple of hours. I definitely enjoyed the post-bow mini-ABBA concert that left all pretense of a plot behind for full-on sequined jump suits and dancing in the audience. It’s light, it’s fun, and as my friend said, “It’s hard to sit here and not sing along.”
