Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

#1

Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:21pm

I've heard wonderful things about the show, but not really from people who are very passionate about theatre like myself. Is this one of those shows you should atleast see? I never had an interest in the show but I was asked to go on a day trip to NYC with a group from school. Is it worth the time and money?

#2

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:26pm

I have a feeling most people on here are going to say no. It has a weak plot. But here's how I see it. Go see it yourself and make your own judgement. If you like Abba, or that style of music, why not go see it? It looks like a fun, feel good show. If your going with a group and it's reasonably priced, then why not? It's better than doing homework that day.

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

Updated On: 3/20/07 at 11:26 PM

#3

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:26pm

its a great two and a half hours!!! VERY FUN and ALIVE!!! you will leave the theatre happy and wanting to dance,
hope this helps

#4

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:29pm

Noooooooooooooooo!

Please take my advice. I saw it because I figured, well I've seen about everything else and I know it will be staying and I may as well see it with a cast that I like. I waited until Leah Hocking went in and saw what has since become my most miserable experience in the theater. I went with a friend and we both just thought it was dreadful! And I don't understand what it was, the cast was lively and I LOVE the cd. What went wrong? I can't say except that I'd advise people to just back away from it.

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#5

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:31pm

No. Just, no.

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One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...


It was awesome. - theaterkid1015

#6

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:31pm

If you're looking to walk out of a theatre and feel happy all over, Mamma Mia! is a safe bet. Fluff musical at its best! Plus, Judy McLane is a fabulous Tanya.

#7

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:31pm

If you're in the mood for more serious theatre than no. But it's a terrific time and I loved it. Say what you will about ABBA and jukebox musicals but something has to be good about it if it is this successful all over the world.

#8

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:32pm

Contrary to how people feel here, it's one of the shows I want to see that I still haven't seen yet.

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#9

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:33pm

No!

#10

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:37pm

Do you mind me asking...how much is the trip? And do you know where your seats are?

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#11

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:40pm

They're orchestra seats, pretty close up. The whole trip is $130 which is less than what I usually pay for bus and show tickets.. but I don't know if I want to pay that much for a show I don't even know if I'll enjoy.

#12

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:43pm

What do you think of ABBA music? What's your type of musical?

This show seems like pure, fun fluff. Again, I'd see it. Why not?

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#13

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:43pm

You just missed carolee ::sigh::.... I say go for it. It's quite fun. Especially the bows =D

#14

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:49pm

Keep in mind that the show is VERY campy and the book is very bad (they are REALLY stretching to fit those ABBA songs into the storyline), but the show knows what it is. That’s why I like it: It knows it isn’t the best show on earth and doesn’t aspire to be. (There is nothing worse than a campy show trying to pass itself off as serious theatre.)

#15

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/20/07 at 11:50pm

Threadjack, but how is front row center mezz at the Winter Garden? I know first row mezz is usually great for shows, but I know the Winter Garden is a pretty large theater.

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#16

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:09am

a. Amneris I LOVE your avatar.

b. I loved it. Yes, it has weak point...but it is a fun night in the theater and anyone I know that went loved it.

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for fierce, fabulous and fun times visit eric mathew's world. http://ericmathew.blogspot.com/

#17

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:13am

it's garbage.

but FUN garbage. really fun garbage. with lots of nice boys and girls to oggle at and great music

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"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

#18

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:14am

Do you like seeing boys shirtless?

#19

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:22am

Most of the posters here hit the nail on the head. It's fluff. Not even usual standard fluff, this is like light whipped marshmallow fluff. But it's good, in a sense. It can be great fun. You can't go wrong with ABBA, but it's hard to find a cast that can do the show any justice. Because they can either be lazy and make the entire production seem sloppy or they could be too energetic and make you feel like they overdosed on Redbull. It's a risk, but the payoff can be a good one.

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"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.

#20

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:22am

Curtain, I don't even think that can save the show. If one goes to see it, they can at least come out either having enjoyed it or seeing a promising trainwreck that makes cash.

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#21

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:23am

I never would have seen this show except I lost a bet. So I went. I didn't hate it. That's the best and the worst I can say about it.

Millie: the front row of the mezzanine at the Winter Garden is terrific. It is a large theater, but it is more wide than deep and the mezzanine is not that high nor is it that far from the stage.

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Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)

#22

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:23am

I saw it on Las Vegas and because I enjoyed it there...I want to see it on Broadway also :P

I got front orchestra seat Row A when I got it thru the Mandalay Bay Website :)

Not to be a ****or anything but it was way better than Legally Blonde when it previewed in SF!

#23

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:28am

I agree with wickedfan. Even though I only saw the show once, with Louise Pitre and the rest of the OBC, the material had to be handled just right in order to feel rewarded. I've been scared to go back ever since because even though I want to see Carolee Carmelo I don't want to spoil the memory I have of Louise Pitre.

#24

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:43am

Out of all the shows I've seen, I've only disliked two: Mamma Mia and Movin Out. I don;t necessary love everything I see, but I usually enjoy the experience of just attending the theater. I cannot express how much I hated every minute of Mamma Mia. It's one of the only shows I couldn't wait to leave.

#25

re: Is Mamma Mia worth seeing?

Posted: 3/21/07 at 7:51am

It's an enjoyable concert of familiar ABBA songs --

but I'm afraid it is not the kind of musical theatre that theatre lovers expect - I couldn't find much connection between the book and the music ( it is not even a real musical score as the songs seem disconnected with each other).