By Christy Hudson
Many people might know the story of Mamma Mia! from the 2008 Meryl Streep film, but Cache Theatre Company brings it to life on its original home, the stage. CacheArts presents their fun-filled production of Mamma Mia! at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, Utah. This jukebox musical is inspired by and consists solely of the music of 1970’s Swedish pop group ABBA¸ with music and lyrics by members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and book by Catherine Johnson.
Mamma Mia! takes place on an island in Greece, where Donna has built a home for herself and her daughter Sophie, and a business running a hotel. Sophie is about to get married, and she wants her dad to walk her down the aisle, but she doesn’t know who her father is. After reading her mother’s diary, she learns of three possible dads: Sam, Bill, and Harry. So, she decides to invite them all to her wedding without her mother’s knowledge, and without telling them why they are there. Donna is less than thrilled to randomly see her three exes show up out of the blue.
Sebrina Woodland stars as Donna, a woman who is strong and self-sufficient. Woodland’s portrayal is also strong, showing all sides of Donna, from independent innkeeper to loving mother. She sings with a wide range of emotion, making it clear what Donna thinks and feels in every number. Danielle Cassity plays her daughter, Sophie. Her performance is so sweet and earnest. The audience instantly loves Sophie and roots for her on her quest to find her father. Cassity sings with a clear, beautiful voice.
Donna’s two old friends and former girl group members also arrive for the wedding: the untamed Tanya, played by Sandi Gillam; and the jovial Rosie, played by Debbie Ditton. The dynamic of the Dynamos is one of my favorite aspects of the show. Each character is different and distinct, but likable in their own way. Gillam and Ditton are both hilarious. Gillam’s number “Does Your Mother Know,” and Ditton’s “Take a Chance One Me,” are a couple of the highlights of the show.
The dads’ characters are also quite different from one another. Ryan Leonhardt plays Sam Carmichael, a divorcee who has never stopped loving Donna. John Brailsford plays Bill Austin, an author and adventurer. Chris Metz plays Harry “Headbanger” Bright, a British banker who still enjoys some of the aspects of the old days (such as some pretty outrageous leather pants). As unhappy as Donna is to see them, all of the dads are fun and entertaining; Sophie and the audience immediately like them all. Leonhardt, Brailsford, and Metz give solid performances as their unique characters. Rounding off the male leads is Hyrum Hansen as Sky, Sophie’s fiancé. Their chemistry as a couple works incredibly well, and he has a firm presence onstage.
The remainder of the supporting characters and the ensemble also work well together, with a lot of dancing, courtesy of Choreographers Fiona Katrin and Nichole Peterson. The cast also harmonize well and a lot of their singing happens offstage, as they provide backup vocals for the performers onstage. A couple of the company numbers I liked best are “Voulez-Vous” and “Under Attack” because they use some fun, inventive elements to make them memorable.
Costume Designer Whitney Metz has also created an amazing component of the show. For a large part of the first act, there is a lot of shininess dazzling the stage. The Dynamos perform “Super Trouper” in platform shoes and metallic bodysuits straight out of the disco days, and it is fabulous. And make sure you stay after the credits—um, I mean curtain call. The grand finale gives the audience members a chance to show off their ABBA skills, whether they listened to them during the ‘70s, or their parents played them in the car when they were kids, like my dad.
Lighting Designer Kenneth Bell uses a lot of colorful, moving lights to also add to the disco-vibe, as the lights even swept over the audience, immersing them into the world of the show. The set is also great, as it rotates to create several different settings, and it allows for quick scene changes that don’t leave the audience waiting in the dark. Director Lindsey Kelstrom brings a great deal of fun, as well as the best kind of sappy love stories to Logan. Mamma Mia! Is definitely a light and funny show, but Kelstrom has clearly encouraged her cast to look at their entire character to bring this show sweetness, depth, and meaning.
Cache Theatre Company’s Mamma Mia! is so much fun. It looks great and sounds great. The production is full of comedy, as well as some heartfelt moments. The story is essentially about a mother and daughter’s relationship and the role they play in each other’s lives. After some of the musical numbers, the actors didn’t stop to allow the audience to applaud, which made it a little awkward, and really just deprived the actors of their much-deserved praise for the complicated songs and dances. If you’re a fan of ABBA, or if you’re a fan of the film, you will enjoy this production.
Cache Theatre Company Presents Mamma Mia!, book by Catherine Johnson, music and lyrics by ABBA.
Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S Main St. Logan, UT, 84321
April 11-16, 2019, 7:30 PM, Matinee April 13, 1:30 PM
Tickets: $17-$25
Contact: 435-752-0026 info@cachearts.org
CacheArts Facebook Page
Mamma Mia! Facebook Event Page
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