11.26.04 - Mamma Mia! In Toronto
November 20, 2004 - Okay, I confess: I like ABBA. Is it any surprise? I'd say that I've proven my taste in music to be highly diverse. I actually was introduced to ABBA by none other than Murray Head: once I heard the musical Chess, I knew the other works of Andersson/Ulvaeus must be worth a listen.
So I bought ABBA CDs and had at it. I thought the stuff was great and over the years have gotten quite used to the ABBA music as performed by them. What would it be like, I mused, to hear that same stuff in ripped-off form, sung by over-acting musical stars?
There was only one way to find out, so last week I saw the show. You'd think a concern would be the integration of the music into the plot of the show, but oddly this was a minor thought for me. I had no doubt that ways would be found to mesh the song selection perfectly into the story, and in that I was not disappointed.
What did disappoint me, you might ask? Nothing. Well, there was one actor that rubbed me the wrong way - but that's a minor gripe for me. The cast included Blythe Wilson, Anna Madgett, Corrine Koslo and Nicole Robert.
Blythe Wilson was the mother, Donna, and the (she's a MacGyver Alumni!) best voice in the company. The two ladies playing Donna's college buddies were delightfully amusing and Anna Madgett was irresistibly cute as Sophie. She has a clear, pure and youthful sound that worked perfectly in the part.
The plot was simple, but the humor, feeling and (of course) the music all blended so well you end having a great time whether you want to or not.
In fact, audiences regularly clap and dance during a performance.
Mamma Mia is cute, funny and sweet. If you enjoy ABBA's distinct sound, I think you have to like this show.
- Jason
http://www.jasonlatona.com/mtmorrisny.html