A theatrical success story like few others, "Mamma Mia" made a triumphant return to St. Louis last night with a fast-paced, charming production that displayed its usual fine song and dance, but also offered a script and action that rapidly passed risque and nestled next to ribald on a number of occasions. It will run at the Fox Theatre through Sunday, where a look at the audience showed the widest age range of almost anything I've seen on St. Louis stages in my 38 years of involvement with theater.
This is the first time the production has visited St. Louis since the highly successful movie came through two years ago, and it appears that Catherine Johnson, who wrote both the screenplay and the book of the stage version, has done some jiggling with the action and the dialogue, as has Phyllida Lloyd, who directed both. Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, the B's of ABBA, contributed the familiar, tuneful, charming music and lyrics.
The basic story, however, remains unchanged. A 20-year-old girl, Sophie (Liana Hunt), is about to be married on the Greek island where she lives with her single mom, Donna (Michelle Dawson). Sophie wonders who her dad is. Then she slips into Donna's diary and discovers there are three candidates; with the naivete of all musical ingenues and with the need of a plot hook for a play, she invites all three, from far away places–and they all show up. Since she had expected to recognize Dear Old Dad immediately, and she does not, it adds a little mystery.
Things go in threes in Johnson's writing. Donna has two old friends, Tanya, the feisty blonde (swell work from the sexy Rachel Tyler), and Rosie (splendid pantomime, marvelous comedic timing and lusty carryings-on by Kittra Wynn Coomer). There are three potential fathers, too, making it a little easier for choreographer Anthony Van Laast, and the dance work is delightful, with Adam Michael Kaokept a standout.
Both Sophie and Donna show expressive vocal ability, and Dawson can belt, too. Her second act is a real test, as she sings major duets with the three men (Vincent Corazza as Harry, Matthew Ashford as Bill and John Sanders as Sam) and with her daughter as well. All are carried off with fine style. Despite the fact that this company, like its predecessors, milks the curtain call dances to the last drop of applause, "Mamma Mia" is great fun.
At the Fox Theatre through Sunday.
–Joe