LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW - 'MAMMA MIA' - PLAYHOUSE SQUARE - CLEVELAND, OH - 8.5.08
By Linda Voorman
Published: August 6, 2008
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Cleverock says "Mamma Mia Rocks"

I know, I know. When you think rock and roll, the songs of Abba do not necessarily come to mind. But I am here to tell you that 'Mamma Mia,' the stage play, does "rock!" This Broadway stage production has everything a true music lover requires; good vocals, excellent lyrics and an I dare you not to clap beat. On more than one occasion during the course of Tuesday night's (8.5.08) performance, the audience spontaneously began clapping along to the songs and some were even so enthused that they could not help but actually sing, albeit quietly, along. Let's face it…..everyone, everywhere, at one time or another, has tuned into the music of Abba. You just can't live in the twenty first century and NOT know any Abba songs. It's literally impossible! This was evident in the broad age range present at this production with seventy and seventeen year olds alike enjoying the music and upbeat performance.

The story line is simple: a twenty year old girl is getting married and does not know who her father is. There are three possibilities, and she invites each of them to her wedding with the conviction that she will know who her dad is when she meets him. Wrong! And then the fun begins...

As I mentioned before, the vocals were all strong with my favorites being Donna (Susie McMonagle) and Sophie (Rose Sezniak), which is a good thing, as they are the main characters. What I was not expecting was the superb physical comedy from this traveling cast. Rosie (Kittra Wynn Coomer) and Tanya (Michelle Elizabeth Dawson) gave outstanding vocal and comedic acting performances. You couldn't help but love them and laugh out loud at their character's antics and facial expressions. The three "dads" (John Hemphill, Martin Kildare and Michael Aaron Lindner) actually looked their parts……middle aged men. How refreshing……realism in theatre! Again, excellent vocals.

My suggestion to you rockers is that you should expand your repertoire and "Take a Chance" on this fun tour through the seventies. "The Winner (does) Take It All" in this feel-good production. I promise you will want to become a "Dancing Queen" (or King) and you will not be sending an "SOS" asking to be rescued. Rather, you will be glad that you spent your "Money Money Money" on this date with your "Honey Honey" and be ready for your favorite someone to tell you to "Lay All your Love On Me" after the show.

 

'Mamma Mia' performances run through Sunday, August 10th at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. Tickets are available at Playhouse Square's box office and online .

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