What's Happened to Mamma Mia?

[Train2NYC]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:56pm

I went to NYC this past weekend with my family, it was pouring yesterday so we decided to see a broadway show. We chose Mamma Mia because we thought it would be fun for the whole family. I saw the show on broadway a few years ago, and thought it was very entertaining. I then saw the national tour with a friend a few months ago, and loved it. So, I figured this new broadway cast would be even better.

I haven't seen a lot of broadway shows, but I was just not impressed. What has happened to this show?? The Corinne Melcancon as Donna was completely boring and too weak to portray the role (I know she is covering while Carolee Carmello is out, but I don't think even Carolee could make up for the rest of the principal cast). In "Dancing Queen" you couldn't hear her voice at all. There was no chemistry between her and David McDonald's Sam, and it made it feel as though the wedding at the end came out of nowhere. I felt both Donna and Tanya were overacting their parts and had no connection with the characters.

As for the three dad's, they were all poorly cast. I seriously can not explain how bad Harry was (acting and singing). It got to the point where I could not stop laughing at how bad "Our last Summer" was, I was about to leave the theatre. Bill went in and out of his Australian accent throughout the show and Sam was portrayed as very corny.

The ensemble was very entertaining, and Carey Anderson was a very good Sophie, but those are really the only good things I can say about the show.

The casting for this show has led it to lose its spark of fun and laughter. It was nowhere near worth the $110 dollars for a ticket. I don't remember exact names of the people I saw on the tour, but the casting was so much better (especially Donna, Tanya, Harry, and Bill). Bring those people over.

[BroadwaySinger2]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 4:10pm

I think that the show was weak due to Carolee Carmello being out. Carey and Carolee really carry the show. I had seen the show recently with this cast and loved it more than I had ever loved it before. I think you just might have come on an off-night.

[Train2NYC]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 4:22pm

Is it likely that the majority of the cast had an off night? I can understand a few people here and there, but I just felt like the whole thing had gone downhill. Corinne Melancon has been playing this role for a month and is playing it until Carolee comes back in May, I would think they would've chosen an equally strong actress for the part of Donna, since she is supposed to carry the show, and I don't think Corinne is capable of it.

[gottadance2]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 5:09pm

Sorry you felt that way, I thought Judy McLane as Tanya was just perfect and had great comedic timing...

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 5:40pm

That's too bad, and sad to hear.
Some of the touring casts are AWESOME! One would think the BEST of them would be in the Broadway production at all times.

For the price you paid, you have a right to expect everyone in the cast to have a great night - every night! It's their job to entertain and that's what they get paid for.

Sorry you didn't get to enjoy a top performance! It's a fun show when the cast is giving it their all!

[Train2NYC]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 6:55pm

gottadance2: I looked at my playbill and Jen Burleigh Butz is now cast as Tanya. Judy Mclane is listed on the Mamma Mia website as Tanya and Jen as an ensemble member, so maybe she recentely left and Jen took over the role?

[bwaydoc]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 7:05pm

I saw the show over the weekend too, and I actually have to agree with what Train2NYC said. I've seen the show before on Broadway and tour and I loved it then. When I saw it this weekend, I was actually bored during parts and wondering when it would end, which had never happened to me before.

Also, gottadance and Train2NYC, I believe Judy McLane is temporariy out due to an injury or something, so I believe Jen is her understudy and taking over until she comes back.

[Acurran530]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 7:40pm

Do you know the names of the 3 dads? Like the actors who played them?

[bwaydoc]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 7:53pm

Sam: David McDonald
Harry: Michael Mastro
Bill: Pearce Bunting

[Acurran530]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 7:59pm

Okay cause I knew one of the guys who is an understudy for the dads and just wondering if it was him, but it's not.

[Train2NYC]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 8:35pm

Those are three "dads" I saw too. The only understudy I remember was a women.

[sfs1414]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 8:46pm

I saw Carolee in Jan. and she was freaking fantastic!! Her Winner Takes It All was glorious!! I've seen the show 5 times and she was by far the best Donna I've seen. Go see her when she returns!!

[Hope3]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 11:40pm

Sorry, just have to come in here and add something.

I know it's already in the Judy McLane is out thread, but Judy has been out due to injury, it sounds like. And Jen Burleigh-Bentz has taken over for the past couple months and Judy returns in July.

"Jen Burleigh Butz" just to let you know, it's Bentz!

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 12:01am

i really liked jen's tanya, at first i was a little annoyed it was an understudy, but she definitely impressed me. oh, dont even get me started on carolee....she is SO wonderful...sigh. and i also really loved carey.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 12:02am

Isn't Pearce Bunting a Porno Star?

[Hope3]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 12:20am

Aw, I'm glad you liked her!!

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 1:06am

If you want to see Jen get there quick...she's leaving on Sunday. She's an incredible performer (we miss her in MN...we want her back!)

Carolee and Jen together...mmmmm. Carolee is the best Donna.