Review: MAMMA MIA! at the Centrepointe Theatre - Ottawa, Ontario

Orpheus Musical Theatre's production of the smash Broadway hit, Mamma Mia!, features over twenty ABBA songs incorporated into the storyline. The premise: a young girl, Sophie (Meaghan Chapin) has three possible fathers, Sam (Geoff Beck), Bill (Michael Schilder) and Harry (Réjean Dinelle-Mayer). Sophie, believing she will know her father the moment she sees him, invites them to her wedding so that she can have her father walk her down the aisle. When they all show up, Sophie doesn't know which one is actually her father, her mother, Donna (Nicole Milne), is shocked to get a blast from the past, and hilarity ensues.

Chapin put on a good performance as Sophie, despite some issues with the theatre's sound system, particularly during the first act. However, Milne was the shining star of this production. Her rendition of "The Winner Takes It All" was the highlight of the show. The power and passion of her performance consistently carried the rest of the cast in every scene.

Tanya (Stefania Wheelhouse) and Rosie (Christine Moran) are Donna's best friends and former bandmates in "Donna and the Dynamos", reuniting for one night only. Their performance of "Super Trouper", decked out in head-to-toe disco costumes, was one of the most enjoyable numbers.

The crowd showed their appreciation for their favourite ABBA tracks by clapping along in time to the music, especially during "Mamma Mia", "Dancing Queen" and "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme".

Recognition for strong performances goes to Damien Broomes (Eddie), Christa Cullain (Ensemble), and Johanne Boisvenu-Henry (Ensemble).

Mamma Mia! is a fun show that is suitable for all ages, and will have you humming along and tapping your feet. Mamma Mia is at Centrepointe Theatre until June 10, 2018. For more information and tickets, see http://centrepointetheatre.ca/en/events_tickets/June2018/mamma-mia/index.htm.

Photo credit: Alan Dean Photography