What's the story with Mamma Mia? — Page 2

Margo- I saw the tour in DC last year. I am sure it was not much better than this year's from what I have heard from friends. That was one of the worst theatrical experiences of my life. Luckily, it was a birthday present, so I did not loose money, but I do want my time back.

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I don't care if you dislike a show, but DO NOT say anything negative about it based on other people's opinions!

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I'm bored and procrastinating from writing my final research essay (damn summer school class!), so I'll just throw my opinion onto the heap.

Mamma Mia! is fluffy and fun, but don't expect great theatre. Most of the enjoyment comes from how ABBA songs pop up and are fitted into a story - sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The plot isn't too bad: it's the stuff of dinner theater-fare or Disney family movies. I'm not an ABBA fan, so I would have found the bulk of it highly irritating, if it wasn't for the fantastic cast (the original Canadian cast, with Louise Pitre). It's really a show for those who want a fun night out - the Hollywood romantic comedy of the stage - rather than a show that exemplifies the virtues of Theatre. The show also has a high nostalgia value for late baby-boomers, what with the yearning for the 70s and the disco-crazy encore.

Think of this as the stage equivalent of those touring rock concerts that feature all those disco icons like the Village People and Gloria Gaynor.

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Updated On: 6/23/04 at 12:23 AM

Funny thing this should be a topic of discussion I ran across! I've been following Tour 2 of Mamma Mia since the second city of the original cast in March 2002. I've now been to 35 cities and 19 states. The original cast was awesome, but I have to say the current cast is great too! I'm proud to have been called this tour's "1st Groupie" having seen Tour 2 a total of 157 times. ( not ready to stop yet!! ) All I can say is .... "here I go again"!

tinamm2fan, I think that's great! I'm also a huge MM fan too (but have only seen the play 10 times to date...but am not done of course). Who stars in the current Tour 2 production?

Margo, if you think Mamma Mia is bad, just you wait until the other sorry shows that have decided to raid a back catalogue and wrap them round a flimsy narrative to produce a hit reach the US. The London production was recently re-reviewed after it moved into the newly refurbished Prince Of Wales Theatre. The Time Out review pointed out how it was very easy to now resent Mamma Mia and its success because of the terrible shows that leapt on the bandwagon and followed in its wake.

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wait - there's a STORY with Mamma Mia???????? LOL!

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Actually, I'll be cringing from OUTSIDE the theatre, since there's no way in hell I'd ever sit through it.

Amen to that. I have sat through both those "musicals" you refer to (comps on both occasions, but still) and I regretted every minute of both of them. I did enjoy the show that used Madness songs though. It was the only one that was put together with heart and thought and talent. And of course it closed in 8 months.

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And, like the LION KING it's something that the whole family can enjoy without sex or profanity. Sadly they kill at the box office. Hooray for tourism.

Most of my friends loved it, a few thought it was so so. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the music but you have to like Abba. Everyone was dancing in their seats!!!!!!!!

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I absolutely enjoyed and loved Mamma Mia !!! As most people said, it is not great theater, but is sure as hell is A GREAT PARTY !!!! And anything that sends me on the street with a huge smile and glad to be alive ( Like Mamma Mia, Hairspray, The Lion King etc) sure gets my vote ! Of course it helped that I am a huge ABBA fan and that the story is set in GREECE !!! :)

Take care

J.- I'm likin' you!

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