MAMMA MIA!: Thank You for the Music! by Amy Watters

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MAMMA MIA!: Thank You for the Music!


The first thing I noticed about the Tuesday night performance of MAMMA MIA running at the Orpheum now until February eleventh, was just how many people I knew who were posting the marquee on their Instagram , many of whom were outside my theater circle. Due to the large audience for this particular musical, the merits of this show must lie in its ability to give the audience what they’re looking for, a spectacle of high energy. If you ask me if the show met those expectations, I’d respond with an (almost) emphatic yes.

At the top of the show, the band opens with an overture that left me absolutely exhilarated. Somehow, with only eight musicians, the band managed to pack an excellent punch, delivering supreme energy and setting the tone for the incredible score we’d experience throughout the performance. The rest of the music does not disappoint with the performers managing to keep the music feeling fresh while maintaining ABBA’s disco-pop sound. Songs like “Voulez-Vous” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” shine for their incorporation of the ensemble, using the harmonies to mimic the layered sound characteristic of ABBA’s music. However, my favorite musical moments occurred during the Dynamo’s sequences, which gave us some of the most pitch-perfect harmonies you’ll find in musical theater.

            Unfortunately, the constant sound issues did detract from my enjoyment of the music. Solo voices during bigger, ensemble numbers were often drowned out over the other singers and the band, such as during the titular song “Mamma Mia.” Other times, microphones or speakers would cut out causing the song’s energy to crash. 

            In terms of performances, Alisa Melendez’s Sophie was very underwhelming. Although she provided strong vocals, (particularly the climax of “The Name of the Game”) she failed to convey her character’s conflict regarding her identity clearly, causing her to come off as ungrateful and selfish rather than endearing. Her chemistry with Sky also left much to be desired, leaving me genuinely bored during “Lay All Your Love On Me” despite it being one of my favorite ABBA songs.

            The other performances more than made up for this. Carly Sakolove as Rosie and Jalynn Steele as Tanya devoured their roles, creating bold and enthralling characters that I couldn’t get enough of. Both their solos left the audience floored with excitement, with the first line of “Take a Chance on Me” alone being enough to elicit massive cheers. But Christine Sherrill’s Donna is the star of the show. Few times have I felt as moved in the theater as I was by Sherrill’s masterclass performance. Her comedic timing was stellar, her vocals show-stopping, and her emotion throughout the whole story was authentic and powerful. Her rendition of “The Winner Takes it All” alone is worth the price of admission, and just thinking about it makes me want to see this production again before it closes.

            Whether a life-long theater kid, or just a fan of Meryl Streep, I can promise that MAMMA MIA! is an absolute blast. With fabulous music and some standout performances, MAMMA MIA! is sure to leave you humming 12 different ABBA songs for the next few days.


 

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