I Am Mystified By the Success of MAMMA MIA!- Page 2

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 1/16/08 at 1:47pm

I've seen it four times, although I have to admit both the touring version and Dee Hoty as Donna lessened my enthusiasm for the show for quite some time. With the response that Carolee is getting, I may be ready to take a chance on it again.

I'm a huge ABBA fan and when I first saw the show in Toronto, I fell in love with Louise Pitre as Donna and I do think casting has a certain impact on how much I enjoy the show. I thought Dee Hoty's voice was all wrong for it and the woman who played it on tour (Jackie soemthing...I think she's in the Broadway ensemble now) took too long to find her footing.

When I saw "Xanadu," I immediately thought of "Mamma Mia." Featherweight, energetic and with a score, however recycled, that is pure pop pleasure. It's not rocket science or great art, but it is a lot of fun.