Up For Review: "MAMMA MIA!" at the Morris Performing Arts Center

I was having a particularly rough day before I sat down at the Morris Performing Arts Center to watch “MAMMA MIA!” The minute the overture began to the minute it ended, it was absolutely impossible to be in a bad mood, joy and music radiating from the stage. 

I have been a longtime fan of the original Broadway show and the movie as well as the band “ABBA,” finding their music as goofy as the musical that has brought a smile to my face for years. 

However, I had never seen it live, but came in with huge expectations as the movie is already a large and campy production that makes me want to get up and dance by the end of it. And that is exactly what I did. 

From the beginning, it was clear the entire cast was having just as much fun as the crowd, bringing energy within the first few songs and scenes. 

My favorite scenes, as usual, were the large displays of choreography and ensemble strength like “Money, Money, Money,” “Voulez-Vous,” or “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” being a wall of sound and energy, matching the source material of the jukebox musical beautifully. 

The ensemble also added to the comedic effect of many of the songs, acting as audience members to the dramatics of the main characters. 

Another source of comedy, not comedic relief, as this show is just one, long, hilarious running bit, was Donna’s best friends, Tanya and Rosie, played by Jalynn Steele and Carly Sakolove, respectively. 

Any time these two were on the stage, I was cackling, with even just small details of their performance adding to the comedic aspect of even the sadder songs like “Chiquitita.” 

Alisa Melendez, playing Sophie Sheridan, was also a powerhouse actor and singer, making one of my favorite characters come to life. Her portrayal of the character made her come off as more of a goofball and pure optimist, making her character distinctly different, but even more charming, than Amanda Seyfried’s portrayal of Sophie. 

And, of course, there is no “MAMMA MIA!” without Donna Sheridan herself, played by Christine Sherrill, bringing the vocals to the stage for both “SOS” and “The Winner Takes It All,” stealing the show. 

The mother-daughter chemistry between Donna and Sophie was sweet, making their relationship feel real with both maternal pressures and love. The cherry on top was their performance of “Slipping Through My Fingers” before the wedding. 

“Lay All Your Love on Me” also brought the romantic chemistry to the stage, leading to woos from the middle-aged women in the audience. 

Another favorite of the women around me were the three men and potential fathers, each having their own moment to shine such as Harry’s “Our Last Summer” and Sam’s verse in “SOS.” Even Bill’s verse in “Take a Chance on Me” led me to love his character even more. 

By the time the show came to a close, my heart was singing with feel-good vibes as Sophie left the stage and the actors came to bow. But then the greatest thing ever happened: we got to join the cast in on their party with the finale, inviting the audience to sing and dance along. 

Everyone in the theater got to be part of the “MAMMA MIA!” magic in the end, and I was completely sold. This show is a must-see and the tour cast is wonderful. This show was the perfect way to honor the musical’s 25th anniversary.