Theatre
& Stage
reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff
Mamma
Mia! (thru 12/26)
Broadway
in Chicago is presenting the return of "Mamma
Mia! The Smash Hit Musical based on the songs
of ABBA. This is my fourth time seeing this
show and even though this cast is not as strong
as the other three that have played Chicago,
the wonderful ensemble, four of the principle
players and some of the greatest music make
this a show to see. This is pure entertainment
for entertainment's sake. No matter your personal
problems entering the Ford Center for the
Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, once the
music starts and the curtain goes up- you
will be taken away, taken to a little island
and for two plus hours life will be beautiful
and your problems will cease to exist. Songs
like "Dancing Queen" (this number as performed
by Lori Haley Fox, E. Faye Butler and Lauren
Mufson is just WOW!), "Take A Chance on Me",
"Thank You For The Music" and of course "Mamma
Mia!" make for a feel good night of fun and
laughter, no matter young or old.
For
those of you not familiar with this musical,
it was inspired by the story telling magic
of the music of ABBA (Benny Andersson and
Bjorn Ulvaeus') Catherine Johnson created
a tale of family and friendship that takes
place on a tiny Greek Island. On the eve of
her wedding, the bride (The lovely Bekah Nutt)
seeks to find her father. Her mothers diary
revealed that there were three men in her
live and that one of them is indeed the father.
She has invited them all to the wedding (but
has not informed her mother)- the ending is
one that will make sense once you meet the
three men. The mother, Donna (Lauren Mufson
who's vocal range and stage presence, along
with a winning smile will steal your heart)
was a singer when she met these men and along
with her "back-up singers (the aforementioned
Ms. Butler and Ms. Fox who are tops, although
Ms. Butler was a little too Louise Jeffersonish
for my taste. Ms. Fox, however appears to
have as much fun as the audience from very
start to the rousing curtain calls).
Ensemble
members are to me a very important part of
making a good production even better. Without
solid people handling the dancing, singing
and in this case assisting with set changes,
Mamma Mia! would not be what it is and these
young people are solid. A few really stand
out and I want to give them mention- Robert
Pendilla (moves very well for a guy his size)
, Vincent Ortega, Rosalie T. Vega, Michael
Grayman, Ian Rhodes, Betsy Morgan and Tonya
Doran. Carey Anderson took on the role of
Lisa ( one of Sophie's best friends) and fit
right in. These are solid, fun loving, hard
working young performers who give 100% and
truly make this show the one to see.
Mamma
Mia! will run through December 26th (I am
truly glad to see one of the shows stay longer
than 8 days) at the Ford Center for the Performing
Arts, Oriental Theatre located at 24 West
Randolph Street, with performances as follows:
