AISLE SAY Philadelphia

MAMMA MIA!

Music and Lyrics by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus
And some songs with Stig Anderson
Book by Catherine Johnson
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Merriam Theater, Broad & Locust Streets, Philadelphia, PA
For Tickets call 215-893-3333 or go online at www.kimmelcenter.org
broadway Limited Engagement December 27 – December 31, 2016

Reviewed by Claudia Perry

Returning to Philadelphia for a limited holiday engagement December 27th through December 31st at the Merriam Theater is the final farewell tour of Mamma Mia!, the musical based on the songs of ABBA. One of the most successful Broadway musicals – it is one of only five musicals to have run for more than ten years on the Great White Way. It features ABBA’s greatest hits, including, Dancing Queen, Take a Chance on Me, Does Your Mother Know, Lay All Your Love on Me and The Winner Takes It All.

Based on the plot of the 1968 Italian film, “Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell”, Donna Sheridan is the owner of a small hotel on a remote Greek island. Her daughter Sophie is about to get married. Sophie wants her father to walk her down the aisle on the day of her wedding. But there’s only one problem. Sophie never knew who her father was. After reading her mother’s diary, she has pieced together the possibilities. Her father could have been Harry Bright, Bill Austin or Sam Carmichael. And so she invites all three men to her wedding unbeknownst to her mother, Donna. Of course, chaos ensues.

Allentown native, Lizzie Markson portrays 20 year old Sophie Sheridan with youthful verve and warmth and is especially engaging in her scenes with her fiancé Sky, played by Dustin Harris Smith. Smith not only sings well, but inhabits his character with a natural ease. The three men in Donna’s life, Harry, Bill and Sam played respectively by Andrew Tebo, Marc Cornes and Shai Yammanee all have terrific voices and fully fleshed out polished characterizations. Cashelle Butler as Tanya, Donna’s sidekick from days gone by, does a star turn with her number, Does Your Mother Know? And Sarah Smith as Rosie chews up the scenery with her comic antics. Only Betsy Padamonsky as Donna delivers a disappointing performance. Though she sings well, especially on The Winner Takes It All her interpretation of the leading lady is lackluster.

Don’t come to this show looking for polished choreography. There are a lot of people jumping around on stage just having a good time – but not in any organized fashion. The show has been directed to cater to laughs and shtick and on that end it does deliver. The costumes go from realistic to campy and by the final act they are bigger, gaudier and more sparkly than the Mummers. But the music is infectious and after bows you will be treated to several encores even of a few songs that weren’t originally in the show. Opening night also held a Wedding Giveaway for one lucky couple. Yes, the Kimmel Center and Garces Events provided an entirely free wedding: at the Hamilton Gardens atop the Kimmel Center with Garces Catering, David’s Bridal Gown, Men’s Wearhouse Tuxedos, Ebe Entertainment and Petals Lane Flowers! That couple walked away as happy as the one on stage.

For tickets call 215-893-3333 or go online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway.

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