Mamma Mia 8/16 Review: Leah Hocking is Excellent

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 6:10pm

I've seen Mamma Mia on and off for the past 5 years, whenever a cast change seemed interesting. Unfortunately, every time I went, the person I went to see was absent. I did get to see the "Original Cast" (minus Judy Kaye and Tina Maddigan, both who were sick) and the "Carolee Carmello" cast (minus Ms. Carmello, who was sick), and now this one, the "Leah Hocking" cast.

The "Leah Hocking" cast, which includes many "Original" and "Carmello" cast members, is quite possibly the best I've seen. Ms. Hocking, late of All Shook Up and Hairspray, is the best Donna I've seen.

Sure, the story ain't great, but it is and always will be 2.5 hours of fun. The audience loves it and the cast does, too.

Carey Anderson, in her Broadway debut, is an excellent Sophie. She manages to convey her fears of getting married and her different dads like she's been doing the show all her life (it helps that she did it for a while on tour). She's a great singer, too.

Judy McLane steals the show as Tanya, the tall leggy blonde. She's become very comfortable with her role, as have Mark Montgomery and David Beach as the Bill and Harry, respectively. Andy Kelso as Sky is excellent....the audience went gaga when he took his shirt off.

Lori Haley Fox was on for Olga Merediz, as Rosie. She's done Tanya on the US tour, as well as the standby Donna in the Original London Cast. She's perfect.

John Dosset and "Sam" aren't the perfect fit. He seems to be shouting all the songs, as none of them are in his range. He makes up for it, slightly, when he acts (and does a very weird curtain call dance).

Leah Hocking was born to play Donna. She's a perfect fit for the role. Her acting is great and the songs sound beautiful. Had she been in the original cast, she would have won the Tony for her rendition of "Winner Takes It All," alone.

I just couldn't help wondering why, during Act 1, the whole show seemed muted until Voulez-Vous, the finale. The orchestra seemed canned and the cast's mics seemed very low. Then, Voulez-Vous happened it blew the roof off the place. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

Even so, Mamma Mia remains in great shape, better than ever.

Updated On: 8/16/06 at 06:10 PM

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 6:12pm

Sorry you missed Tina Maddigan, but you can now catch her in The Wedding Singer.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 6:24pm

I've seen her in it. Many times.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 7:00pm

Thank you for the review! I saw the tour on the 5th and loved it. Sounds like this show is holding up well.