Get moving to MTG's 'Mamma Mia!'
“Mamma Mia!” indeed. Get your tickets. I could stop there. But there are too many kudos to shout out to this remarkable Musical Theatre Guild cast and well-directed show that will have you humming along and tapping your toes to the sounds of ABBA.
The classic 1970s music comes to life. The excellent musicians were key to the success of this production, which revolves around a series of popular hits.
The show opens with MTG newcomer Maddie Smith as Sophie Sheridan setting the stage with “I Have a Dream,” her clear, crisp voice wavering ever so slightly, giving just a hint of the potential it carried. Then a delightful little trio of friends belted out “Honey Honey” with Smith taking the lead, growing ever more confident with each note. Sharing in those harmonies were Camille Baptiste and Allison Torres.
Smith was fully into her own with “The Name of the Game,” strong and confident from the first note to the last.
After Sophie's peeps arrive, her mother's buddies appear. Davlin Smith as Tanya and Tammy Erkman as Rosie are their own force with which to be reckoned. The chemistry of the trio from the first hello was as golden as the harmonies to follow.
Katy Wayne's first song as Donna — “Money, Money, Money” — propelled the momentum as she belted out the number with the company. Wayne has sung before throughout the years, but this was a bold, aggressive use of her vocal talents. It was big and extremely compelling, but would get even better as the show rolled on.
Enter the dads who partake in “Thank you for the Music” featuring Rik Medic, Eric Snyder, Jayme Russo and the rest of the cast.
The “Mamma Mia” number saw the ensemble doing lovely background vocals. The staging was exemplary and talent on point. All in all, a delightful number.
As the trio of friends find themselves reliving old times in Donna's room, the harmonies were crisp and fun in “Chiquitita” and “Dancing Queen.” They were hilarious as they reminisced and encouraged Donna, and again their chemistry was enjoyable. My face was sore from smiling.
The trio rocked the house again in “Super Trouper,” complete with metallic jumpsuits and shades and cute choreography.
Act One ended with the dance number “Voulez Vous” featuring Matt Buzanoski as Sky, Jarrod Hull as Eddie, David Halen as Pepper and the rest of the company.
Act Two featured more hits from ABBA and some stellar performances, including a saucy romp, “Does your Mother Know?” with Davlin Smith, David Halen and the cast.
A montage of memories in Scene Four found Donna in her bedroom with former lover Harry, played by Eric Snyder as they shared “Our Last Summer” song.
Donna and Sophie shared an emotionally charged “Slipping Through my Fingers” followed by the most powerful song in the show, “The Winner Takes It All” — it was breathtaking. This scene taxed Wayne to the max emotionally and vocally, and she rose to the occasion flawlessly.
Erkman as Rosie had her moment to shine in the comical “Take a Chance on Me” with Bill, played by Russo. The pair discovered each other in a real and powerful way that was entertaining.
The show segues to the curtain call with a reprisal of “I Have a Dream.”
Stay for the finale, for a rousing revival of “Mamma Mia!” along with “Dancing Queen” and “Waterloo.”
The sets were creative and pretty and provided a wonderful backdrop for the talented cast and the drama unfolding on the stage.
Patrick Erkman did an excellent job casting and bringing the actors to confidence in their vocals, which are still streaming through my head while writing. Typically, I do not enjoy productions that go from screen to stage, but this show did not disappoint.
Run, don't walk, to experience a feel good, toe-tapping production.
WHO: Musical Theatre Guild of ButlerWHAT: “Mamma Mia!”WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. SundayWHERE: Succop Theater at Butler County Community CollegeTICKETS: $17, available at www.mtgbutler.org or at the door 45 minutes prior to curtain if any tickets remain.
