Review: MAMMA MIA! at ASU Gammage

While browsing the program for MAMMA MIA! the musical I was surprised to see that original producer/co-creator Judy Craymer had also produced the 2008 movie version.

I say surprised, because casting Pierce Brosnan as Sam was a musical misstep, despite it becoming "the highest grossing live-action musical film worldwide."

However, I was very pleased to hear Shai Yammanee as Sam in the farewell tour of the musical, now through Dec. 11, 2016 at ASU Gammage in Tempe; ticket info here.

As Donna, Besty Padamonsky excels and is well supported by her besties Cashelle Butler (Tanya) and Sarah Smith (Rosie). Marc Cornes (Bill) and Andrew Tebo (Harry) round out the who-is-my-father chorus with much humor and gusto!

If you're unfamiliar with the story, Donna's fatherless daughter Sophie (Lizzie Markson) has invited three potential dads to attend her wedding in Greece. Perhaps it influenced Ann Brashare's SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS.

This parting production is really, really good. Hats off to Craymer, Richard East (producer), Catherine Johnson (libretto), as well as original composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson for closing a curtain that first rose 20 years ago in London.

ABBA fans will love hearing 12 of the band's Top 40 U.S. singles and anyone else who cringed at 007's crooning in the film will be thrilled with MAMMA MIA! the musical.