Mamma Mia! is Packed with Summer Fun

(L to R) Jalynn Steele (Tanya), Christine Sherrill (Donna Sheridan), and Carly Sakolove (Rosie) in Mamma Mia!
Photo by Joan Marcus.

When you take ABBA’s most iconic songs—23 of them to be exact—and weave them into a charming story, the result is none other than Mamma Mia! Beloved since its 1999 London premiere, the musical features a sweet book by Catherine Johnson, music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and some songs with Stig Anderson. And, as hard as it is to believe, the show is now old enough for its 25th anniversary tour,  under the direction of Phyllida Lloyd and onstage now at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC).

The story starts with young Sophie Sheridan (Madison Deadman at this performance) as she gears up to marry the man of her dreams, Sky, portrayed at Tuesday's performance by a dashing Xavi Soto Burgos. She’s got the groom, the dress, the giggling girlfriends, and the charming Greek venue. What Sophie doesn’t have, however, is a father to walk her down the aisle. Spurred by the idea that her dad is one of three men she’s read about in her mother’s journal, Sophie dashes off invitations to each of them, and once they arrive, the fun really begins.

The men in question include a charming American architect named Sam Carmichael (Victor Wallace), a bumbling British banker named Harry Bright (Rob Marnell), and a rugged Australian author named Bill Austin (Jim Newman). While Sophie plans to keep them (and her real reason for inviting them) carefully hidden, they’re quickly discovered by Donna (Emily Croft at this performance), Sophie’s flustered mother. Donna’s two besties, Tanya (Jalynn Steele) and Rosie (Carly Sakolove), also happen to be visiting, adding to the calamity. The reappearance of all of these people causes Donna to reflect on her past and opens up the door for lots of great ABBA songs, not to mention some over-the-top costumes and musical numbers. 

At the heart of all the fun, however, is a surprisingly tender and touching story about the search for one’s true identity. Luckily, Deadman makes for a perfect Sophie, one who pulls at the heart strings at just the right moments. She creates a character who is endearingly cheerful and warningly vulnerable and, with her bouncy curls, she really is “the girl with golden hair” and a golden voice to match. 

Sophie’s innocence and naive optimism are perfectly tempered by the wisdom and life experience of Donna and her friends. Croft effectively brings out both Donna’s stoicism and, as the story goes on, her immense love for her daughter. Fueled by a rich and throaty voice, she also deftly delivers some of the show’s most powerful musical numbers.

While these two leading ladies carry (most of) the musical’s emotional weight, the other performers add a punch of joy. Steele’s brazen Tanya frequently steals the show with her funny facial expressions and knack for physical comedy. Likewise, Sakolove’s flirty Rosie garners lots of laughs, especially when she sets her romantic sights on Bill.

All the action (and humor) plays out against simple set pieces with a blue, blue sky as the backdrop. Acting as a calm in the storm, the set keeps the story grounded in reality even as it picks up a frenzied, frenetic energy. The big, bold costumes, trippy lighting effects, and bubbly choreography (Anthony Van Laast) combine to create a larger-than-life production with a contagious, feel-good vibe. It also doesn’t hurt that every performer appears to be having so much fun. With each lyric and leaping dance move, viewers feel energized and enthused. The effect is a lot like . . . well . . . listening to ABBA.

The perfect show for a summer day, Mamma Mia! delivers some much-needed laughter and lightheartedness, as well as impactful, endearing characters that stick with you. Everyone will find something to love here and will leave a little happier and a lot more hopeful.

-Susie Potter