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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Mamma Mia! Also see Gil's reviews of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Into the Woods and A Klingon Hamlet
Set on a sun-drenched Greek island, the plot follows Sophie, a young bride-to-be who secretly invites three men from her mother's past in the hopes of discovering which one is her father. Her free-spirited mother Donna is thrown into a whirlwind of memories and emotions when her former lovers–Sam, Bill, and Harry–arrive. With Sophie's wedding looming and old flames rekindled, hilarity and heartfelt moments ensue, all set to the irresistible rhythms of ABBA's well-known hits, including "Dancing Queen," "Super Trouper," and, of course, "Mamma Mia." Leading the cast as Donna is Christine Sherrill, whose raw emotional power and commanding stage presence anchor the show. Her rendition of "The Winner Takes It All" is a true showstopper, layered with vulnerability and strength, and her vocals on every song she sings have an earthy power and emotional connection, making her Donna one of the best I've seen. As Sophie, Amy Weaver possesses a crystal-clear voice and boundless energy which bring authenticity to the character's youthful curiosity and emotional journey. Victor Wallace delivers warmth and a playful ruggedness as Sam, one of the potential dads. His strong vocals throughout, especially on "Knowing Me, Knowing You," and realistic chemistry with Sherrill's Donna make Sam an incredibly endearing character. As Donna's best friends, Rosie and Tanya, Carly Sakolove and Jalynn Steele bring down the house with their antics and terrific chemistry, particularly in their group numbers, "Dancing Queen" and "Super Trouper," and their respective featured songs, "Take a Chance on Me" and "Does Your Mother Know." Sakolve's sharp comic timing and Steele's witty line delivery instantly make this duo audience favorites. As Bill and Harry, Jim Newman and understudy Patrick Dunn each put their own personal spin on their characters, while maintaining sharp comedic timing, rich vocals, and a solid stage presence. Grant Reynolds delivers a strong and warm portrayal of Sky, Sophie's fiancé, while Justin Sudderth and Ethan Van Slyke have fun as two of Sky's friends who work for Donna, and Lena Owens and Haley Wright have a few warm moments as Sophie's besties. The ensemble shines in high-energy numbers, with infectious enthusiasm and admirable execution of Anthony Van Laast's impressive and tight choreography. This 25th anniversary tour is a fairly faithful revival that maintains Phyllida Lloyd's original direction and most of the creative vision from the original 1999 London production, though Mark Thompson's set design is paired way down, with just two moving set pieces to suggest the various areas inside and outside of Donna's hotel. While that, at times, is a disservice to the production, the dynamic performances and Howard Harrison's effective lighting keep the momentum flowing. Also, the sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken delivers fairly crisp and clear vocals. The eight-piece band under Matthew Croft's conducting is excellent and the harmonies the entire cast deliver are gorgeous. Mamma Mia! remains an infectiously upbeat musical, and this tour captures all the feel-good charm that has made it a global sensation. Even if the story is a bit light and the jukebox-musical trappings means some songs don't exactly fit into the plot, the entire touring cast radiates joy, making it easy to see why this musical continues to resonate with fans and is still going strong 25 years later. Mamma Mia! runs through June 1, 2025, at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.asugammage.com or call 480-965-3434. For information on the tour, visit www.mammamiathetour.com. Music & Lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus Cast: |
