"No Brianers" Are Not Offensive, When The Music Is As Fun As This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I saw the movie version of "Mama Mia!" back in 2008, with MERYL And Company.  I had never seen it on stage and never thought I would.

                                         Then came this touring company for a limited run at where it started--my favorite theater, The Winter Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Yes, this is a "check your brain in at the door" show, but when the music is ABBA, and if one is familiar with the music, it is an irresistible experience.

                                              Darlings, I had forgotten how many ABBA songs I knew and still remembered as I sang my way through the show.

                                               Which, in spite of having no stars, and less ability to create a gorgeous, exotic atmosphere, I have to say Mark Thompson's sets and Howard Harrison's lighting create the atmosphere needed to tell the story on stage.

                                                   For the uninitiated, Sophie Sheridan is marrying her love, Skye, and her mother Donna, single and independent, is all a' flutter trying to get the wedding organized.  Sophie unknowingly complicates things when, after reading her mother's diary of her early years, sends invites to three possible men who may be her biological father.  The men show up, so do Donna's friends, and the rest of the show, with ABBA music, is the working out of this situation.  Without the music it would sink, but thanks to ABBA and a vocally adept cast the show soars.

                                                     Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Van Laast, with their direction and choreography, keep the show moving at a rapid pace.  The actors do eight shows a week.  At this rate it is truly amazing anyone is able to keep up, but no one wears out for a second.  

                                                       And you must stay for the end, when the audience and cast join forces, singing out some ABBA favorites I had been waiting for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                        After the week we have had, this show is the perfect remedy to take one's mind off world troubles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          "Mama Mia!" scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!