It may not have the depth of a show like Jersey Boys, but it's easy to understand the appeal of a jukebox musical like Mamma Mia!, especially when you consider just how tuneful the score is, overflowing with a couple dozen of ABBA's greatest hits. Besides, although the motion picture adaptation looked great (the countryside, not the grungy taverna), it came up empty in a lot of other ways, especially where the singing was concerned. So, seeing a production live is really your best bet at enjoying it to its fullest. The current touring show gracing the stage of the Fox Theatre is a splendid presentation, as engaging and charming as we've come to expect, and brimming with plenty of good humor.
Catherine Johnson's book offers a simple premise as a framework to hang the music and lyrics of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (and, sometimes Stig Anderson) upon (perhaps, this is why it's subject to so much criticism). On the eve of her wedding, Sophie Sheridan sends out three invitations to the trio of men her mother, Donna, had flings with (separately, of course, unless there's something she's not telling us) some 21 years ago. Of course, they're completely oblivious as to why they've been invited, and Donna is as well, which leads to a series of amusing situations that climaxes with a wedding. Only, it's not the bride and groom we'd been led to expect who get hitched.
Chloe Tucker makes an attractive Sophie, and her vocals suit the material well. Happy Mahaney performs well as her beau to be, Sky. Kaye Tuckerman is strong as Donna, and her interactions with Tucker have a nice genuine touch to them. Tuckerman's raspy voice also brings a unique quality to the material that's appealing, and gives the music a slightly different feel, although she's sometimes overpowered by the score. Alison Ewing and Mary Callanan basically steal the show as Donna's friends from the past, Tanya and Rosie, respectively.
Paul Deboy, Brian Ray Norris, and Christian Whelan take on the roles of the three prospective fathers Sophie invites to her impending nuptials. Deboy gets his fair share of chuckles with his “Harry the Headbanger” routine as Harry Bright, while Brian Ray Norris (substituting for John-Michael Zuerlein) gamely fills the role of writer/adventurer Bill Austin. Whelan is a good match as Donna's long lost true love, Sam Carmichael.
Original director Phyllida Lloyd keeps the action moving at fast pace, and for this kind of lightweight, but enjoyable fluff, that's the perfect approach to take. Anthony Van Laast adds clever choreography, which helps to keep this high energy production moving along quite briskly. Mark Thompson's simple, changeable set works to subtly conjure up the taverna Donna owns and operates with amazing economy. Howard Harrison's lighting scheme deftly switches gears from dramatic to concert hall with remarkable ease. Music director Bill Congdon, conducting a host of talented musicians, expertly recreates the pulsating sound of ABBA's catalog.
Mamma Mia! continues through November 27, 2011 at the Fox Theatre.
