The Independent: Neon-colored flare-legged jumpsuits, sequined platform boots, and feather boas. An army of men in swim trunks and flippers belting about flirtatious young love. Add in Donna and The Dynamos with a trio of confused could-be dads and soon there’s a whole ensemble of Dancing Queens singing in perfect multi-part harmony in New York City again.
I love Mamma Mia, who doesn’t! I think even people who are against jukebox musicals can get behind Mamma Mia. As for movie’s adapted into musicals I also think it does a fantastic job staying true to the original source material; both the movie and Abba’s songs. I have seen photos and videos of the tour and west end production and I love the scenic design. It is very simple yet effective and the moving set pieces do a good job of creating different spaces with one physical set. I also watched the Mamma Mia reality TV show where the contestants competed for the roles of Sky and Sophie. Similar to Finding Roxie, or The Search for Elle Woods. Having a show to watch in my time made me realize how invested I actually was in the show and how good of a marketing tactic it is. The videos of the chosen Sky and Sophie singing Lay All Your Love On Me also went very viral on social media, which also made the younger generation invest in the show.
ReplyDeleteI will always hold the opinion that Mamma Mia should be on Broadway. It is incredible every single time and everyone loves it. It is good on stage and it is good on film there is nothing wrong with it. Even people that dislike jukebox musicals love it so I think it is great that it is going back. I think it would sell so many tickets especially with the right casting which would be good for Broadway and the industry as a whole. I have always said Mamma Mia would be a dream production of mine and that remains true. I think it is wholesome and fun and so many shows right now are heavy which is also good but someone I just want a show that I know is good and will bring me so much joy. I have never seen it at the broadway level and would totally love to especially if they got some allstar casting going.
ReplyDeleteTo be completely honest-- I never saw Mamma Mia (the movie or the musical). However, I know every single song on the sound track and can quote every single lyric. I love musicals where the songs don't all sound like "musical songs" and have sort of a pop element towards them. I also think having a show like Mamma Mia back on Broadway is so wonderful for people that are just getting introduced to theater, as at least a few of the songs can ring a bell. Seeing a show as a first-timer can seem daunting, so it may bring some comfort and nostalgia to see an amazing song that you already know be performed by the most talented people in the world right in front of you. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteMamma Mia has returned to the Winter Garden. When I first saw the announcement I was a bit shocked to say the least. I was not anticipating a revival soon, and while it is just the National Tour version in the Winter Garden, it still is good to have it back in NY. I do hope that they have done a little bit more than just move the portable version into the Winter Garden. Ideally, they expanded upon what they had, making the show’s return to Broadway a bit grander. Given that the show is still playing in London, any existing remount was likely to use the same designs, though I would like to see the show redone with new creatives at some point in the future. Mamma Mia also has a particularly special place in my heart as it was one of the first shows of any kind that I saw, when my high school produced it in 2020. That may make me a bit biased when evaluating it, but whatever, it’s still good to have it back.
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