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‘Mamma Mia!’ at the Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: C- In every wedding — including the one that ends the Abba musical “Mamma Mia!” — there comes the “I do” moment. The Swedish pop group, whose music is strung together in the inexplicably popular karaoke pastiche playing at the Fox Theatre, wrote a song about it: “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.”
At Tuesday night’s opening, an audience member was so moved (or perhaps just ready to go home) that she beat the actress to the punch and screamed “I do” at the moment of truth.
Well, OK, then. If you are so inclined, don’t change your mind. But take a tip from me. It won’t set you free. Seven years after arriving on Broadway and with a summer move scheduled to open July 18, this dizzy, dancing, DayGlo-colored spectacle about a young woman’s quest for her father feels weaker than ever.
As a child of the ’70s, I’m a fan of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus’ shimmering Nordic electronica, which I like to describe as “disco music for elves.” But it will take a lot of fairy dust to persuade me that book writer Catherine Johnson’s ludicrously plotted tale of bride-to-be Sophie, her trio of potential dads and her mama’s former girl band is anything less than a hack job. Likeable enough when executed well, insufferable when it’s not.
Sure, this tour boasts some sexy dancers and impressive performers (Susie McMonagle as Donna, Michael Aaron Lindner as Harry, Rose Sezniak as Sophie and Kittra Wynn Coomer as Rosie). Coomer, in particular, is a brassy, full-figured delight as the perpetual bridesmaid who offers to be the first in line if Aussie bloke Bill (Martin Kildare) changes his mind.
But the orchestral overture was torturously overamplified, and the paean to unrequited love and untied knots rarely felt anything less than sentimental and predictable. You can feel the piece mechanically ticking off Abba tunes so that every principal gets a song.
“I Do, I Do, I Do…”? Well, I don’t.
THE 411: 8 p.m. tonight-Saturday. 2 p.m. Saturday. 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Sunday. $25-$64. Broadway Across America-Atlanta, Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Midtown. 404-817-8700, ticketmaster.com
Bottom line: “S.O.S.”
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Theater
Comments
By David
June 11, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
I saw the show summer 2006 when it was at the Fox. Thought it was cute and predictable. Did not really want to see it again. Pure fluff, but I can understand why it is so popular. I am excited to see the movie musical version in July starring Meryl Streep.
By David
June 11, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
I saw the show summer 2006 when it was at the Fox. Thought it was cute and predictable. Did not really want to see it again. Pure fluff, but I can understand why it is so popular. I am excited to see the movie musical version in July starring Meryl Streep.
By David
June 11, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
I saw the show summer 2006 when it was at the Fox. Thought it was cute and predictable. Did not really want to see it again. Pure fluff, but I can understand why it is so popular. I am excited to see the movie musical version in July starring Meryl Streep.
By Cheryl
June 12, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Wendell, I think you were the only one in the audience Tuesday night that didn’t enjoy the performance. Everyone else was on their feet clapping! Myself included.
By Debbie
June 12, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Wendell, Tuesday night’s performance of Mama Mia was definitely fun! We were all on our feet clapping - many singing along - and some of us even did some “aisle dancing”. Not sure if you went to the performance with an open mind and allowed yourself to really enjoy it. As for me…”I did, I did, I did, I did, I did, I did”!
By Joyce
June 13, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
This is the 3rd, but not last, time that we have ENJOYED the show! The Atlanta cast at the Fox was fantastic, rivaled the Broadway show we attended twice before. We were all on our feet and would have stayed that way for another 10 song if they had been performed! A++. Do I want to go afain? I DO, I DO, I DO , I Do, I DO, I DOOOOOO!
By Dan
June 13, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Have three words for you Wendel. Eat more fiber. Nothing else exlains why you did not like this show. The dancers were wonderful and high energy. You were so unfair to the cast who literally left everything on the stage. A nostalgic delight from start to finish. What is so wrong with making sure every principle gets a solo? I espcially loved the three song curtain call. What other show sends you home not only humming the score but dancing as well?
By Jene' Gladstone
June 13, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Hi Wendell,
I have lived in Atlanta since 1984 (went to Ga Tech). I have traveled quite a bit over the years, lived and worked abroad, etc. I love Musicals - love them. I have seen some of the best shows in NYC, London and Paris.
I just read your review of “Mamma Mia” playing at the Fabulous Fox this week. I actually saw the show last night. I saw the original production in London a few years back, and this is the 2nd time I have seen this musical here in Atlanta. I see how they’ve adapted the original London production to the American production - it’s quite interesting.
I was dismayed at your review of the production. I understand, as a critic, it’s your job to focus on the negative. Wouldn’t it be refreshing for a critic to exist that discusses the trade-offs and “areas of improvement” of musicals…but then focus on the positive for a change? Having seen this production three times in two different countries…I found the production to be rather excellent. The voices were strong and exquisite, the timing of witty dialog was superb, the music was thoroughly enjoyable and had the audience dancing, humming, swaying along. It was uplifting and left us all with a big smile on our faces. I think the folks that see this show know that the storyline is weak (but how clever that one was created to envelop the songs, eh?). I have seen “We Will Rock You” as well (to Queen music) and the storyline is very weak…but the set, costumes, music, etc…are amazing and well worth the effort.
I found your choice of words in the review overly dramatic. The review was harsh and unwarranted. In this dire time of a suffering economy and so much “woe” in the world, why not try to inspire people rather than discourage them from the joys and beauties that do exist?
Regards…