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"Mamma Mia!" (The Fox Theater) by Jackie K. Cooper (Atlanta)
If you want to see a play with energy to spare, go see "Mamma Mia!" If you want to see a play full of comedy and romance, go see "Mamma Mia!" If you want to hear delightful songs sung by super talented performers, go see "Mamma Mia!". If you want to have a night at the theater that will send you home with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, go see "Mamma Mia!"
"Mamma Mia!" is a play based on the songs of Abba. Catherine Johnson has written a plot that uses all the big songs from this legendary group. And the beautiful thing is they all fit into the plot as naturally as can be. You move from one hit to the next and at the same time the plot is advancing towards a definite ending.
The story concerns a girl named Sophie (Carrie Manolakos) who is engaged to be married. She has been raised by her single mother Donna (Laurie Wells) on an island off the coast of Greece. One day Sophie decides to read her mother's diary and in doing this she discovers the names of three men who might be her father. Unknown to her mother, she invites them all to her wedding and they all accept.
Once they arrive Sophie tries to sort out which one is the one. They all seem like nice men but none of them acts paternal towards her. Her mother does not seem thrilled they have arrived, and seems to have a special animosity towards Bill Austin (Milo Shandel).
As the wedding approaches Sophie grows desperate to know who her father is, but her mother isn't talking and neither are the guys. Finally a desperate decision is made and it leads to the climax of the play.
Manolakos is terrific as Sophie. She is young, fresh-faced and full of energy. Hers would be the performance of the night were it not for Lisa Mandel who steals every scene she is in as the long legged Tanya, an old friend of Donna's. Mandel would be the star of the night were it not for Laurie Wells who makes Donna a sensual siren with an amazing voice. Wells looks great, sings beautifully, and acts with ease. She is a sexy dynamo who lights up the stage and steals the show.
But every person in this cast is good, and they have energy that never lets down. If just one person had appeared sluggish it would have ruined the performance but that never happens. These people seem to love what they do and they make you enjoy it.
