Great Lakes Theater’s production of ‘Mamma Mia!’ is a joyful celebration
How does Great Lakes Theater do it? They take two great stage works that are polar opposites of each other and somehow manage to run them in tandem throughout the run. On weekends they even perform both shows on the same day. I am talking about, of course, the current offerings of Mamma Mia! and Pride and Prejudice. The former a spritely musical set on a Greek island somewhere around the 90s, the latter a tale of wealth and privileged in Edwardian England during the late 18th century. Somehow they manage to keep everything straight and true to form.
Mamma Mia! is the story of Donna Sheridan (Jillian Kates*) who was a wild child during the Peace, Love and Rock and Roll 70s when she was the lead singer for a trio called “The Dynamos” who were a local favorite. In a short period she sleeps with three men; Harry Bright (Eric Damon Smith*) who later becomes an investment banker in London, Bill Austin (Alex Syiek*) who has gone on to travel and write books about it and Sam Carmichael (Nick Steen*) who works his dream job as an architect. Donna’s daughter Sophie (Kailey Boyle*) is the result of these three nights of passion.
Twenty year old Sophie has discovered her mother’s diary from that hedonistic time (desribed in her mother’s diary as “dot-dot-dot” and after doing some research has invited all three men to her wedding unbeknownst to her mother. Donna on the other hand has invited her Dynamo partners Tanya (Jodi Dominick*) and Rosie (Laura Welsh Berg*). As the pressure of the upcoming nuptials increase Pepper (Warren Egypt Franklin*) and Eddie (Mack Shirilla*) try to take Sophie’s betrothed, Sky (Jake Slater*) away for the island traditional parties and scuba diving for a pearl necklace in a submerged sunken wreak.
The result is over two dozen renditions of ABBA songs (written by Benny Andersson and Björn Uvaeus with additional songs by Stig Anderson) that are shoehorned into the plot. The book is by Catharine Johnson who has managed to meld the action with the music and lyrics quite well. Songs such as “The Winner Takes All”, “Dancing Queen”, “Does Your Mother Know”, “I Have a Dream”, “Super Trooper”, “Voule-Vous” and of course “Thank you for The Music.”
This is a show that will have you singing along and humming all the way home. Along with the excellent voices of the principles it should be noted that the chorus (made up of Kelsey Brown, KatherineDeBoer*, Tré Frazier, Shayla Brielle G.*, CourtneyHausman, David Holbert, Amy Keum*, Matt Koenig*, andrew May* Daniel Millhouse*and Mack Shirilla* are fantastic as well. They add a subtle background to the outstanding solos and ensemble works that fill this show.
The show is directed by Victoria Bussert (head of Baldwin Wallace University’s nationally recognized musical theater program) who lets the cast have fun while drawing in the audience. The cast is augmented with a number of talented BWU alums and students who bring an extra zap of energy to the show.
The eight piece orchestra (led by Matthew Webb) features four on keyboards (Matthew Webb, William C. Shaffer, Rob Kovacs and Sara Smith), two guitars (Joe Parker and Trevor Matthews) with Alfredo Guerrieri on Bass and Andrew Pongracz on Drums. They are exceptional in filling the theater with their joyous sound while not drowning out the singers. The enthusiastic dance numbers are choreographed by Jaclyn Miller who brings a lot of gymnastic moves and wild gyrations to the mix.
Kailey Boyle is a delight as Sophie whose facial expressions express her vulnerable feelings. Sidekicks Shayla Brielle G. (Ali) and Amy Keum (Lisa) are wonderful as Sophie’s friends. Jillian Kates is exceptional as Donna as she tries to work through her haunted past. Jodi Dominick as the rich husband hunter Tanya is sexy and superb while Laura Welsh Berg’s Rosie (‘Take A Chance on Me”) steals the show.
Although the plot has a mature theme this is a great show to bring the youngsters to. Even the younger ones will find themselves dancing along to the music.
Sometimes we go to the theater just for the fun of it and this show fills the bill for just that. Bright, airy and light with lots of bouncy irresistible music and dancing it is designed to make the entire family smile. Great Lakes Theater has hit a grand slam home run with this show.
The Great Lakes Theater production of Mamma Mia! Will run through November 11, 2018 in tandem with Pride and Prejudice. Tickets may be purchased by calling (216) 241-6000 or online by going to www.greatlakestheater.org.