MAMMA MIA! - A Show Worth Spending Your Money, Money, Money On by Sophia Hammond

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Jessica Crouch (Donna Sheridan) and the Company of MAMMA MIA! 25th Anniversary Tour

Photo by Joan Marcus

Okay, why in the world is Mamma Mia!, one of the closest things to a fever dream ever to see the stage, still running after 25 years? And why have people fallen in love with these characters in every single iteration? Well, the answer is simple. Mamma Mia!, running at the Orpheum from September 15th-20th, transforms the historic and classy theatre into a place of laughter, fun, and dance! It truly makes you forget you are watching a musical.

The show starts with Juliette M. Ojeda (Sophie) singing the opening song “I Have a Dream.” Her childlike yet mature voice floats through the audience, setting the stage for a musical of girlish wonder that's not afraid to deal with tougher themes. And it's not just Ojeda’s voice that conveys Sophie’s character; her acting is on-point too! Sophie acts like a kid; she acts like how you would if all of a sudden you had three men who could all be your father suddenly show up at your door! In fact, the acting of the entire cast is truly what made this musical feel real.

The ensemble kept a perfect balance of “campy” and genuine. Even the set changes told their own little stories! With a cast that includes Jalynn Steele returning as Tanya from the Broadway run, this wasn't surprising. There truly was not a weak link in this cast! And for those of you who are fans of the 2008 movie, don’t worry, this musical kept the vibes and the talent! Of course, no one can live up to the great Meryl Streep, but Jessica Crouch (Donna) comes close!

Now, I realize I have spent a lot of time talking about how this is “a musical of girlish wonder,” but this musical isn't just for the ladies. All around the theater I saw that there were people of all gender identities enjoying that carefree feeling that Mamma Mia! gives you. This is truly a musical for everybody. I don't know why Mamma Mia! draws us all in like this, but my best guess? We all need to see someone having a crazy life like ours, backed by a Swedish pop band, to make the world seem a little less bad.

So please, go see Mamma Mia!. Whether you are stressed about the state of things right now, or you have an overload of schoolwork (like me), you are sure to spend your time there bopping your head, smiling, and coming out feeling that you, like Sophie, can achieve your dreams.

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