Mamma Mia!, which is sure to be the summer hit for Drayton Entertainment, has arrived on the stage at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
The musical, based on the music of the Swedish pop group ABBA, opened in Drayton on May 13 and plays for only three weeks after a successful seven-week run at the Dunfield Theatre in Cambridge.
After the 14-year Broadway run and after Meryl Streep starred in the big screen adaptation, Drayton Entertainment has scored the Canadian regional premiere.
Mamma Mia! is a tale of love and family, as single mom Donna struggles to accept the impending wedding of her daughter Sophie, as well as her run-down teverna on a tiny picturesque Greek island. Donna’s two best friends and former ‘70s girl group members are invited for the grand event, but Sophie has also invited three unexpected guests from Donna’s past. Three possible fathers arrive on the island, and Sophie is hoping one may be the dad who gives her away at her “big white” wedding. Chaos ensues as each man discovers Sophie’s true motives.
The talented Blythe Wilson plays independent, strong-willed Donna. Wilson, who has been on multiple Broadway stages, grabs the audience through her stellar performance of the arduous journey of a mother with a broken heart, noted especially in Slipping Through My Fingers.
No one can outshine Danielle Wade as bride-to-be Sophie. Wade may ring a few bells after winning the role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Wizard of Oz on the televised competition Over the Rainbow.
Her sweet yet determined voice elicited goosebumps in the first number I Have a Dream and continued to carry strong through the entire performance.
Donna’s girlfriends and Donna and the Dynamos members are played by Jackie Mustakas and Jenni Burke.
Mustakas rocks as Tanya, the flirty, multi-divorcee, who teaches a lustful island boy a lesson with her version of Does Your Mother Know? and Burke plays feminist author Rosie. While Burke’s raspy voice was odd, her rendition of Take a Chance on Me had the audience giggling.
The three potential fathers were played by Matt Palmer, Mark Harapiak and Michael Killinger. Palmer was fantastic as architect Sam Carmichael, whose duet with Wilson in S.O.S. made hearts break, while Harapiak is superb at playing gruff writer Bill Austin and Killinger is sophisticated as wealthy British financier Harry Bright.
Groom-to-be Sky is played by Colin Sheen. He and Wade share a young-and-in-love chemistry that comes across so well in Lay All Your Love on Me, a personal favourite.
Sky, along with Pepper and Eddie (played by Sam DiGiuseppe and Stephan Dickson), are phenomenal in one choreographed number that had the audience laughing hysterically (spoiler: it involved scuba gear).
Sophie’s friends Ali, played by Judy Kovacs, and Lisa, played by Jade Repeta, joined her on the island for her big day. The trio were the exemplar of girlish excitement through an already exciting musical.
Rounding out the cast was the ensemble made up of Christy Adamson, Graeme Goodhall, Jessica Horn, Jon Alex MacFarlane, Erik Markewich, Jennifer Mote, Christine Watson and Tyrell Witherspoon, who were all astounding during the number of choreographed routines.
A huge thumbs up to director and choreographer David Connolly, who led this mega-musical along with assistant director and assistant choreographer Robin Calvert and music director Steve Thomas, who all elegantly produced a high-calibre musical.
Memories of the Greek islands came back with set designer David Boechler’s work at transforming the stage into the island villa. Using white stucco and that iconic Mediterranean blue in the architecture as well as bougainvillea and an olive tree topped off the impressive stage. Lighting by Oz Weaver highlighted the gorgeous set.
Costume designer Rachel Berchtold hit the mark with the simple yet colourful island vibe wardrobe and then bedazzled the audience with the excellent gold-lamé bikinis and sparkling disco outfits.
The production by Drayton Entertainment is a must-see musical.
Over 80 per cent of tickets have already been sold. Tickets are $44 for adults and $26 for youth under 20 years of age.
If you miss this show in Drayton, Mamma Mia is heading to King’s Warf Theatre from July 14 to Aug. 6 and Huron Country Playhouse Aug. 11 to Sept. 3.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com, in person at the box office, or by calling 519-638-5555 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON(372-9866).
