Mama Mia! And the verdict is...
Jeff Stimson
Last weekend was a long weekend here in Canada. My partner and I had
decided a while back to go see both the Lion King and Mama Mia which are
both playing in Toronto (we are in Ottawa).
Before seeing either show I had great expectations for Lion King and,
although Abba is the greatest thing since sliced bread, I had my
reservations about Mama Mia. I really couldn't picture the show being
anything other than corny and awkward.
Well, talk about an upset. I came out of the Lion King feeling slightly
dissapointed. Amazing costumes, sets, performances, etc. But felt the show
took itself far too seriously and besides the 2 or 3 songs that were hits
from the movie, no other song stood out as being very memorable.
Mama Mia blew me away. Oh my frikkin God! I have never had such a good
time, and judging by reactions around me, neither had the rest of the
audience. Where I feared that 22 Abba songs would not fit into a musical
turned out to be so off the mark. They told the story beautifully. Add to
that the spectacular voices on stage (which, truth be told, outshine what I
find to be weak on the Mama Mia original cast recording), comedic timing,
and wonderful performances and you have a winner.
Mama Mia had originally been slated to run only until November in Toronto.
It has been such a hit that it has been extended a year. Shows that where
supposed to be in that theater from November onwards have been bumped to
another venue.
Benny, Bjorn, Catherine Johnson, hell.. everybody involved in this
production... I salute you.
ITSBRY
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jeff!
Bryan (ITSBRY)
------------Original Message-------------
"Jeff Stimson" <jsti...@home.com> wrote in message
news:N2095.120401$7o1.2...@news2.rdc1.on.home.com...
Stuart Cracraft
>When is MM coming to America!?!?!? AAAAAAA!!!
Probably never. America seems very stupid about ABBA.
On the other hand we'll get all the garbage-rock you can
throw anything at. Go figure. Least-common-denominator-rock I guess.
DyanTaylor
London and the two musicals we will be viewing are Mamma Mia and the Lion King.
If the performances in London are similar to those in Canada, my sister may be
glad I talked her into a ticket for Mamma Mia. She wanted to see The Lion King
and laughed at my insistence on MM.
I'm glad you enjoyed MM! Like Bryan, I hope it will come to the U.S. so my
parents (both of whom love ABBA) can see it. But I fear that Stuart is right.
And I'm sure if it comes to the U.S. that it will not make it to Florida
anyway. : ( I'm so disappointed that I live in the one country that did not
appreciate the greatness of ABBA!!! At least I will get to see MM in London . .
. : ) Enough of my ramblings . . .
Dyan
gamb...@webtv.net
liking some other shows better. now mamma mia can't wait to see. hope
broadway is it's next stop.
gamb...@webtv.net
york city next year. hope its true. your right about the u.s. and abba,
not enough respect.
Jeff Stimson
"Stuart Cracraft" <crac...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:39653fed...@news.earthlink.net...
The current Canadian cast will be going to California this November. The
Toronto production just finished auditions for the replacement cast in
Toronto.
From California they will be going to Broadway (not sure of the time
schedule though).
Mary A Saelens
It's coming to San Francisco and then it's making a stop to Chicago in May
2001 and it will go to Broadway, not in that order of course, but I'm going
to the chicago presentation, saw in Toronto here this May and saw Benny,
Bjorn and Frida, all wonderful naturally. The boys are very handsome.
Frida looks stunning, naturally. I really liked the Musical, that's why I'm
going back again, this is not one that you can see just 1 time here folks,
it's great stuff! There's also a rumor that B & B are going to revise and
rework Chess too and try again with that one, I heard that in Toronto. As
for Kristina Fran Duvemala (their other huge musical that is playing I
believe in Sweden now <?>) B & B are currently trying to get that translated
into English and bring it to the States. Sounds cool, I can hardly wait.
Later
Mary*