Review: MAMMA MIA! Brings ABBA’s Timeless Hits Back to Vancouver
Broadway Across Canada's latest production reminds audiences why MAMMA MIA! remains a worldwide favourite
Some musicals fade with time, but more than 25 years after its London premiere, Mamma Mia! seems determined to do the opposite. The musical continues to fill theatres around the world, introducing new audiences to the story while giving longtime fans another reason to revisit the songs they already know by heart. Few productions have maintained the kind of global appeal that Mamma Mia! has enjoyed since its debut, and its latest stop at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC this week offers another reminder of why.
Presented by Broadway Across Canada, Mamma Mia! centres on Sophie Sheridan’s search for the father she has never known. After discovering entries in her mother Donna’s old diary, Sophie secretly invites three men from Donna’s past to the Greek island where she grew up, hoping one of them will walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Their arrival sets off a chain of reunions, revelations, and unexpected complications as the wedding day approaches.
Since opening in London in 1999 and on Broadway in 2001, Mamma Mia! has become one of the most successful musicals in theatre history, reaching more than 70 million people worldwide and inspiring two blockbuster films. Its remarkable run has helped establish the show as one of the defining musical theatre success stories of the past quarter century.
Juliette M. Ojeda (Sophie Sheridan), and the Company of Mamma Mia! 25th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Before the curtain even rises, Mamma Mia! establishes the atmosphere it wants to create. The orchestra opens with an extended overture featuring instrumental arrangements of ABBA classics, a choice that energized the audience at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. While the overture runs longer than those of many recent Broadway Across Canada productions, it never overstays its welcome. Instead, it serves as both a celebration of ABBA’s music and a reminder of just how many recognizable songs are packed into the musical.
The touring cast includes several performers who recently appeared in the 2025 Broadway revival at the Winter Garden Theatre, and that experience shows throughout the production. The cast delivers Broadway-calibre performances across the board, creating a show that feels polished and confident in its identity.
The story is carried by Juliette M. Ojeda as Sophie Sheridan, whose performance anchors many of the show’s most important relationships. Vocally strong from the beginning, Ojeda brings a youthful sincerity to the role that makes Sophie’s journey particularly compelling. Compared to other productions I have seen, this interpretation emphasizes just how much life Sophie has ahead of her. That youthful perspective gives additional weight to the choices she makes by the end of the musical and helps make her character feel relatable throughout. Her chemistry with Maddie Garbaty’s Ali and Lena Owen’s Lisa immediately establishes that close friendship at the centre of Sophie’s world, creating a bond that carries through the show.
Grant Reynolds (Sky), and the Company of Mamma Mia! 25th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Grant Reynolds is equally engaging as Sky. From the moment he appears on the stage, he brings a type of charisma that makes the character instantly likeable. While he shares Sophie’s youthful energy, Reynolds also gives Sky a sense of maturity and confidence that balances their relationship well. The result is a pairing that feels supportive from beginning to end. His dancing was also particularly impressive during “Lay All Your Love On Me,” one of several moments where his Stage Presence stood out.
Jessica Crouch delivers a thoughtful and layered performance as Donna Sheridan. Rather than making a strong impression immediately, Crouch gradually reveals more of Donna as the evening progresses. As a result, many of her strongest moments arrive in the second act, when the audience gains a deeper understanding of her history and relationships. Her performance reaches its peak during “The Winner Takes It All,” a song that demands both vocal power and emotional vulnerability. Crouch rises to the occasion, creating one of the production’s most memorable moments. Her scenes opposite Victor Wallace’s Sam Carmichael are equally effective, capturing years of unresolved feelings and lingering affection through relatively little stage time.
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Jessica Crouch (Donna Sheridan), and the Company of Mamma Mia! 25th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Donna’s longtime friends Tanya and Rosie provide many of the show’s biggest laughs. Jalynn Steele proves to be a crowd favourite as Tanya, bringing confidence, humour, and impeccable comic timing to her role. Her performance of “Does Your Mother Know” alongside Dominic Young’s Pepper generated some of the strongest audience reactions of the show, combining sharp choreography and playful chemistry. Carly Sakolove is equally memorable as Rosie. Rather than pushing the character’s enthusiasm to extremes, she finds a balance that allows Rosie’s humour to emerge naturally. Her scenes with Leland Burnett’s Bill Austin, particularly during “Take A Chance On Me,” were the funniest in the production, while her subtle character choices helped make the performance stand out.
One of the production’s strengths is the way it handles the relationships between its characters. Victor Wallace’s Sam Carmichael, Leland Burnett’s Bill Austin, and Blake Price’s Harry Bright share an easy camaraderie that makes their unusual situation surprisingly believable. Because Mamma Mia! strikes a strong balance between dialogue and musical numbers, the audience has time to invest in these relationships rather than being told they exist. The interactions between the three men allow their friendship and mutual respect to develop naturally, creating a foundation that supports the emotional moments later in the show.
The emotional connections between the characters are equally convincing. Sophie and Sky share an easy chemistry that makes their relationship feel genuine from beginning to end, while Sophie's relationship with Donna captures both the tensions and deep affection often found between mothers and daughters. Perhaps most surprisingly, Sophie’s relationships with Sam, Bill, and Harry become one of the most heartwarming aspects of the story. A situation like this could easily be played for conflict, but Mamma Mia! chooses a more optimistic path. What begins with secrets and uncertainty evolves into a story about acceptance, support, and family. Sophie’s extraordinary luck in finding three men willing to embrace a father role in her life becomes one of the musical’s most uplifting ideas.
(L to R) Jalynn Steele (Tanya), Jessica Crouch (Donna Sheridan), and Carly Sakolove (Rosie). Photo by Joan Marcus.
From my experience, jukebox musicals often face a unique challenge. While familiar songs can create an immediate connection with audiences, they can also feel forced into a story if not handled carefully. Mamma Mia! remains one of the the strongest examples of the genre because the songs never feel like interruptions. Instead, numbers like “Honey Honey,” “Chiquitita,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Super Trouper,” help move the story forward while providing exactly the kind of crowd-pleasing moments audiences hope to experience. The result is a musical that feels both familiar and entertaining without becoming predictable.
The ensemble deserves recognition as well. Group numbers such as “Voulez-Vous” and “Under Attack” are executed with energy and precision, supported by Anthony Van Laast’s choreography. What impressed me was how individual members of the ensemble consistently found ways to stand out without pulling focus from the principal cast. Throughout the production, different performers caught my attention through their movement, expressions, and Stage Presence, a testament to the overall strength of the company.
Dominic Young (Pepper), Jalynn Steele (Tanya), and the Company of Mamma Mia! 25th Anniversary Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus.
What ultimately makes this production successful and captivating is its balance. The performances are strong, the relationships feel genuine, and the music remains as enjoyable as ever. More than 25 years after its premiere, Mamma Mia! still feels fresh, heartfelt, and thoroughly entertaining. The greatest compliment I can give this production is that I would gladly see it a second time. With a cast this engaging and a catalogue of songs this strong, there would be plenty to enjoy on another visit.
Mamma Mia! Presented by Broadway Across Canada will play in Vancouver, BC at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from May 26 to May 31, 2026. The show is 2 hours and 30 minutes with 1 intermission. For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, please visit the link below!
Top Photo: (L to R) Lena Owens (Lisa), Juliette M. Ojeda (Sophie Sheridan), and Maddie Garbaty (Ali). Photo by Joan Marcus.
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