REVIEW: "MAMMA MIA!" HOW CAN WE RESIST YA

                      

 

 

If you have never seen this ABBA-inspired musical, you may be asking, "Should I pluck down my VISA to see it in Baltimore or head to Broadway and see it there?"

 

 

 

Such a conundrum.  Well, in my humble opinion, you will be quite satisfied seeing it here at the HIPP.

 

 

 

But (and there are always buts), there are differences.

 

 

 

So, here are some:  there is no racked stage (which is much easier on dancers), no bright colored lights which are on the floor of the stage, no rising deck used in two numbers, no psychedelic light show throughout the theater used before Act II (only a light show on the curtain), no huge Moon only used in the last number,  fewer lights used in the big finale, and finally, for some unknown reason, there is an "echo" effect used during various numbers which I found very irritable.

 

 

 

And even with these differences, I still recommend this terrific musical. Laura Wells plays Donna, the leading role, and you will not see her the rest of the run in Baltimore since she is going on vacation. While Wells is a wonderful actress, in my mind, she looked like more of a sister to her daughter, Sophie, than a mother.

 

 

 

I really did enjoy thoroughly the rest of the cast. Since the show takes place in Greece, it was great to see the role of Sophie played by one, Carrie Monolakos (who could very well be the first of Greek ancestry to play this role). Carrie sparkles on stage is in my estimation the most comedic of all the Sophies I've seen (and I've seen a lot). Look for my interview of Carrie to be posted shortly.

 

 

 

The three adult males, Donna's two friends, and Sophie's two female friends, and Sophie's love interest, Sky, are all terrific. A highlight is "Take  a Chance on Me" sung by Laura Ware and Milo Shandel.

 

 

 

But in my mind, special kudos goes to the incredible ensemble of actors who are not only singing and dancing with incredible energy on stage, but contribute back stage with their voices.  At the end of the show, after two and half hours…we are the winners, the winners who take it all….with their tremendous output which helps make this musical the incredible success it has achieved.

 

 

 

And here they are: Cathryn Basile, Julia Cook, Michael Gerhart, Marlene Handrahan, Kurt Andrew Hansen, Marisa Martinez, Peter Porte, Kristine Reese, Will Reynolds, Enrico Rodriguez, Mackenzie Thomas, Anne Tolpegin, Bradley Whitfield, and Brad Wills.  They are ALWAYS on and they all deserve recognition for their work. 

 

 

 

So if you attend…give them the applause they have earned. The opening night audience did not at all hesitate to sing and dance at the end.  So theatergoers, do not be bashful, have yourself a good time, join in the fun, sway your arms with the cast during the "Dancing Queen" reprise, move those hips, sing along and smile while applauding while you have "the time of your life".

 

 

 

At the Hippodrome through September 10. Tickets are $30-$75. Call 410-547-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

For information on the cast performing at Baltimore's Hippo fundraiser on Wednesday night, Sept. 6, see my Baltimore/Washington Backstage Column.

 

 

 

For comments, write me at cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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