One of the things that people love in this world in a great ABBA tune. Their music is catchy, fun, and you can’t help but become the dancing queen while listening to it. So musicals like Mamma Mia! just bring us joy and now, it’s back on Broadway!
As someone who has a deep love for the films, it was surprising that I had never seen the musical. I tried but the show was sold out when I went to go and see it and then it closed and I thought I’d have to wait a long while before seeing the stage show live. Luckily, Mamma Mia! is back on Broadway for a limited engagement and it feels like a blast from the past in the best way.
Mamma Mia! is currently playing at the Winter Garden and is the same production that has run for the last 25 years and I kind of love that they just plopped it right back on Broadway. Sometimes, a time capsule is fun. And with Broadway shows that have been open a long time, looking at you Chicago, they can often feel outdated. But that isn’t the case with Mamma Mia!. It feels like a time capsule that works with the show itself and makes everything that much more fun.
If you, like me, only knew the movie, it is delightful too because there is a big difference between the two (mainly in allowing Sam to sing more) but what was the most fun, for me, was just how much joy everyone in that audience had while watching it.
It is a fun time!
I recognize that shows like Mamma Mia! are not for everyone. The movies aren’t and ABBA isn’t necessarily everyone’s favorite band but there is something so fun about this show and this return to Broadway proves that. How many shows can you say came back with the same exact production and has audiences rushing to see it? Not many!
But watching an audience get up and dance to “Waterloo” during the curtain call just brought a smile to my face. And as, aspects of this show are so dated that it is ridiculous but that’s part of the charm of the show as a whole. Why is Mamma Mia! perpetually set in the 90s? We don’t know but we all are just running with it.
If the films gave you any amount of happiness or even put a small smile on your face, then I do recommend going to see the show on Broadway. Hearing “The Winner Takes It All” changed my life in the best way because that’s the beauty of this show. Songs that I love and know have a different meaning in the midst of the show and I love that we can do shows like this!
Look, there is a lot of Broadway shows to choose from but if you want to just have fun, then see Mamma Mia! while you can!
(featured image: Joan Marcus)
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