Critical Review at Hennepin Arts

“Mamma Mia, here we go again!” The beloved 1970’s musical Mamma Mia! is currently on tour! For those who are enjoying Mamma Mia for the first time, this is a high-quality jukebox musical featuring several of ABBA’s most popular hits. The musical includes well-known dance tunes such as “Super Trooper,” “Dancing Queen,” and, of course, “Mamma Mia!” This soaring Broadway musical tale follows Sophie (Juliette M. Ojeda), a young woman and bride-to-be who aspires to have her father walk her down the aisle at her wedding. The problem? The identity of Sophie’s dad is a mystery, and there are three possibilities. Sophie takes matters into her own hands and invites them all, without informing her mother, Donna (Jessica Crouch). Mamma Mia! features lots of eyegrabbing lights, some slow moments, and incredible choreography.  The thing that lingered on my mind after I saw Mamma Mia! was the lighting. Howard Harrison, the lighting designer, outdid himself with this production: The vivid lighti...

The global smash hit musical Mamma Mia! is nearly 30 years old, and just as popular as ever. Mamma Mia! first opened in the West End in 1999, before transferring to Broadway in 2001. Since then, the show has toured the globe and performed for more than 70 million people in 60 different countries. In 2008, Mamma Mia! The movie was released, grossing over $706.4 million, becoming the highest-grossing live-action musical of all time. But most famously, the show is set to the hits of ABBA! This was not the first time I had seen this show and probably won’t be the last. It was also not the first time I had seen this specific tour, so expectations were fairly high going in. The show was very fun as always, to say the least, but it did not meet the high standards. To start, the show was miscast. Although everyone involved was clearly talented, not one person quite fit the character they portrayed. Jessica Crouch (Donna Sheridan) had a very large voice that filled the venue, but sounded almos...

Juliette M. Ojeda (Sophie Sheridan), and the Company of Mamma Mia! 25th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus. The moment you stepped into the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis for the opening performance of Mamma Mia! , the excitement could be felt as the curtain rose to reveal a simple set of two walls in the style of a Greek town. The recognizable songs of ABBA made their way into the production and connected the storyline through their similar style. This show-stopping, memorable production far surpassed any expectations I had going in, and is one of the best I’ve seen in every aspect. Outstanding performances came from everyone in the production, especially Juliette M. Ojeda, who played Sophie, and Jessica Crouch as Donna. Their singing, acting, and movement—whether dance, staging, or anything else—advanced every part of the production, from the funny bits to the most wholesome moments near the end. Of course, every member of the cast exceeded expectations. The choreography (Anthony...

  Mamma Mia! Review Mamma Mia, here I go again… writing another review. In my experience there are two reasons people tend to know Mamma Mia! , either they know ABBA, or they know the 2008 movie. The overall plot is silly, with main character Sophie, who wants to know her father, inviting three potential fathers to her wedding. There are overall themes of identity and family love that persist throughout the whole show, making it surprisingly deep, and a common feel-good movie. The movie is based on a stage production, a revival of which is currently touring and much more entertaining. The performance I saw was on opening night in Minneapolis on September 15th and it was one of the more diverse audiences in terms of age I’ve ever seen at the Orpheum Theatre. It was like a Disney movie or family night excursion. The actor’s performances  remain pretty true to the actual songs, not changing delivery very much, but the key thing is: this tour didn’t rely much on its audience...

  Watching Suffs felt like stepping into a history book that was alive. The struggles, arguments, and victories of the women’s suffrage movement weren’t just facts on a page, they were real people fighting, laughing, and crying right in front of me. Suffs , playing at The Orpheum until April 12th, tells the story of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States, focusing on the fight to secure the right to vote in the early 20th century. While it’s rooted in history, the production feels incredibly immediate, as if the story is unfolding in the moment rather than something that happened over a century ago. From the moment the show begins, there’s a strong sense of energy and urgency. The staging is fairly minimal, but it works in the show’s favor because it keeps the focus on the characters and their mission. Instead of elaborate sets, the production uses lighting and movement to shift between moments, which makes everything feel fast-paced and purposeful. I found myself lean...

When I saw Chicago and Les Mis this past winter, I was almost uncomfortable by how the shows related so much to today's world, especially with them being written so long ago. I had an idea going in that Suffs would be the same. However, it didn't feel uncomfortable at all;it felt more powerful, sending a message of strength and courage to its audience. It is about the American women's suffrage movement between 1913 and 1920, and the fight for the passage of the 19th Amendment. It specifically follows Alice Paul and her contribution to the movement and her work founding the National Woman's Party. Maya Keleher’s interpretation of Alice Paul is very impressive. From the very beginning, there is a strange intensity about the character, always trying to work harder, to do the next thing, to keep working towards her goal. As the show goes on, specifically in Act II, you can see her slow down as her character ages and then reflects on her life. Another favorite was Abigail A...