Take a Chance on Me (Broadway in Louisville)

Mama Mia! Music and Lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson Book by Catherine Johnson Directed by Phyllida Lloyd A review by Kate Barry

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A popular female led musical has arrived with music so familiar, it seems everybody has known about this show for the last twenty years…No it’s not a retelling of The Wizard of Oz…I’m talking about Mama Mia! The second show of the season for Broadway in Louisville, the schmaltzy pop musical is in residence just in time for these cold December days. And the happy-go-lucky jukebox musical is the perfect antidote for the winter blues as long as you don’t overthink the logic of the plot.

If you must know the story, it’s pretty simple: Sophie is getting married in 24 hours and invited three men who might be her dad. Her mother, Donna owns and manages the struggling hotel on the shores of a Mediterranean beach. Sophie does not tell Donna but she finds out anyway. Is Sophie’s father ever revealed? No. Does it matter? No. Are there shenanigans set to the best hits of ABBA, you bet. A paternity test would have resolved the hijinks within moments but where is the fun in that?

This musical is as fun and easy going as a midsummer walk on Mediterranean shores. Comprised of a ensemble of beautiful, sexy and youthful dancers, the show reminds one of the frivolity of youth yet doesn’t make the stakes of love too high. Amy Weaver’s Sophie is a dreamer full of heart. Her plans to meet her dad before her wedding day seem genuinely innocent until she is greeted by the consequences. With her spirited bridesmaids (played Haley Wright and Lena Owens), Weaver’s “Honey, Honey” is a spritely jaunt into her mother’s past loves. With her fiancé, Sky (an exuberant Grant Reynolds), Weaver shares a duet of “Lay all your love on me” that is equally cheeky and full of desire.

The arrival of Sophie’s three potential fathers provides strong individual personalities in their performance choices. Rob Marnell’s Harry is a prim and proper reformed “headbanger” whose wild past and current manners provides lots of jokes that are fully embraced. Jim Newman’s Bill is an explorer of the world with a passion for adventure. Victor Wallace’s Sam channels a romantic who never lost hope that he would hear from Donna, an affection that is evident in “S.O.S.” and “I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.” Additionally, Weaver’s Sophie shares a simple yet lovely rendition of “Thank you for the music” with her potential dads in an early moment of the show.

As Sophie’s plan quickly goes awry, Donna must face her past and accept her choices which she has been running from for twenty years. Christine Sherrill’s Donna is a strong, independent woman who has carved out her stake in the world. Sherrill’s “Money, Money, Money” and “Mama Mia” present comedic opportunities to show Donna’s struggle in a lighthearted tone. Indeed, the struggling business and her three ex-boyfriends on top of her daughter’s wedding sure make things hard.

But Donna is not alone; as best friends and former bandmates, Tanya and Rosie, Jalynn Steele and Carly Sakolove are worthy and well timed supporting characters. As a vocal ensemble, Sherrill, Steele and Sakalove do a fine job with the hit “Dancing Queen” as well as a “Super Trooper” and “Chiquitita.” Their vocals blend effortlessly and the harmony shines as bright as their friendship. Steele’s Tanya is a thrice divorced woman on the prowl who puts her ‘love em-and-leave em’ attitude on display with a spirited “Does Your Mother Know.” Sakalove is given a chance to show off her flirtatious chops in the comically thirsty “Take a Chance on Me” against Newman’s self-described lone wolf Bill.

In a show like Mama Mia! , the song and dance numbers are fun and entertaining. The clear water Mediterranean beach aesthetic plays well against the up tempo ABBA catalogue too. And in these divided times, isn’t nice to escape into a jukebox musical?

Mama Mia! December 3-8 PNC Broadway in  Louisville Kentucky Performing Arts 501 West Main st Louisville KY 40205 https://louisville.broadway.com