Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The Rhode Island regional premiere of “Mamma Mia” celebrates Theatre by the Sea’s second show of their 85th Season. Owner and producer Bill Hanney spares no expense with costumes and sets in bringing this musical to the historic theatre.The much loved 1999 jukebox ABBA musical focuses on finding emotional moments of female bonding in this fun filled musical set in Greece. “Mamma Mia” is based on the songs of ABBA, a Swedish pop/dance group active from 1972 to 1982.
The show opens with daughter, Sophie singing “I Have a Dream” which lets the audience know what she’s wishing for that she wants her father to walk her down the aisle but she doesn’t know who he is. Sophie finds her mother’s diary and starts her search for her father. Then she and her two friends amp up the voltage with “Honey Honey” with their youthful excitement. However the show revolves around Sophie’s mother, Donna and which of her three ex-boyfriend’s are really Sophie’s father. Director/choreographer Kevin P. Hill infuses his 27 member cast with high energy and fabulous dance moves while musical director Bob Bray conducts a 7 piece orchestra while playing lead keyboards. Kevin leaves the audience dancing in the aisles to “Dancing Queen” after they give the incredible cast a resounding standing ovation.
Kevin blocks his large cast splendidly like he did in “Hello, Dolly” his first show at TBTS. His terrific dance moves are seen throughout the show and especially shine in the group numbers with the cast performing them in perfect unison. The blend of the orchestra and vocalists is marvelous as Bob brings out the best in them. Erica Mansfield commands the stage as Donna. She belts out many songs including “Money, Money”, that it’s a rich man’s world, “Mamma Mia” when she finds the three men on the island “Chiquita” when the girls try to cheer her up and “Dancing Queen” when the girls convince her that she can still be as fabulous as she was in Donna and the Dynamos. Not only is her voice fantastic but her acting is just as marvelous as she gives the role the depth it needs. Erica’s poignant songs include “Slipping Through My Fingers” she reflects on Sophie’s childhood on Sophie’s wedding day and “Winner Takes It All” when she confesses to Sam that he broke her heart years ago when he was engaged to another girl. Her best friend’s Rosie and Tanya are fabulously played by Jeannette Bayardelle and Tari Kelly. Jeannette returns in triumph to TBTS after playing Deloris, the lead in “Sister Act” back in 2016 which was also directed and choreographed by Kevin. Her duet with Bill, “Take a Chance on Me” stops the show with hilarity as she knocks chairs over to pursue him. Tari plays the flirty,Tanya who makes a play for Pepper, one of the young men. They sing “Does Your Mother Know?” Tanya likes to date millionaires and has been married three times, too. Jeannette and Tari add a lot of humor to the show to keep the audience in stitches all night long. The antics and one liners are perfectly done.
The three want to be fathers do a marvelous job, too. Sam Carmichael broke Donna’s heart. He’s sincere and caring and confesses he came back to her but Donna was involved with someone else. Tall, dark and handsome David Elder is terrific as the sympathetic Sam. David and Erica’s duets are “SOS” and “I Do.” David’s solo “Knowing Me, Knowing You” is emotion packed as he tells Sophie why he broke up with his wife. Christopher Carl captures the nervous energy of Harry Bright who has a hidden secret that is revealed at the end of the show. Christopher and Erica sing the poignant “Our Last Summer” where they reminisce of 21 years ago. His superb tenor voice soars in this show. I last reviewed Christopher as Billy Flynn in “Chicago” at TBTS back in 2003. The larger than life explorer, Bill Austin is played by Al Bundonis. He returns to TBTS after playing King Arthur in “Spamalot” a few years ago. He does a dynamite song with Jeannette called “Take a Chance on Me.” It is hilarious as they are about to do it when the wedding guests show up. I first reviewed Al in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at TBTS back in 2008.
Malia Monk and Nick Walker Jones play Sophie and Sky wonderfully, too. Malia captures the exuberance of the character. Sophie’s reading her mom’s diary to find her father and inviting all three men to her wedding during “Honey, Honey” captures the attention of the audience. Sophie sings “Thank You for The Music” with the three men when she first meets them and then “The Name of the Game” with Bill to find out about his Aunt Sophia. Her rendition of “I Have a Dream” is perfectly delivered at the start of the show and tugs at your heartstrings at the end. Nick plays her knight in shining armor, Sky. Does he win the girl in the end or will there be too much drama about finding her father? Their duet “Lay Your Love on Me” with the guys is terrific, too as they do a tap dance with flippers on their feet. Kudos to everyone who brings this energetic and fun filled musical to life at Theatre by The Sea. The ensemble singers and dancers are among the best I’ve seen at TBTS. Bravo! The multitude of gorgeous and stunning costumes are by Dana Pinkston while the incredible beautiful sets are by Kyle Dixon especially impressive are the water scenes and the inside of the taverna. So for the Rhode Island regional premiere of this blockbuster musical, “Mamma Mia” be sure to catch it before it leaves town for good next month. Tickets are selling like hotcakes. Run do not walk to the boxoffice for this musical. It’s the must see musical of the summer season. Tell them Tony sent you.
MAMMA MIA (20 June to 21 July)
Theatre by the Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI
1(401)782-8587 or www.theatrebythesea.com
