Review: 'Mamma Mia!' by the Warner Stage Company

Dedicated to my mom

Torrington, CT - MAMMA MIA!, the feel good story set to the music of ABBA, is the most successful “jukebox musical” in history; it ran on Broadway for an impressive 14 years. It wasn’t the first jukebox musical, but it paved the way for musicals based upon recording groups like Queen’s WE WILL ROCK YOU, Billy Joel’s MOVIN’ OUT and Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT. MAMMA MIA allows the audience to sing along with many ABBA classics such as “Knowing, Me, Knowing You,” “Dancing Queen,” “Voulez-Vous” and the title song, and on opening night many did just that...well, I did for sure.

“I .. know that a few hours of fun and music and dancing is exactly what we all need in our lives.” - Lynn Gelormino, Executive Director of the Warner Theatre

The music and lyrics to MAMMA MIA! are by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (and some songs with Stig Anderson) and a book by Catherine Johnson that was originally conceived by Judy Cramer. Martin Koch added additional material and arrangements. The Warner Stage Company production was superbly directed (and musically staged) by Sharon W. Houk; she also told me that she helped with a bit of the choreography. Joe Guttadauro added his expertise as assistant director. The show moved along at a great pace so that the fun did not diminish. James Luurtsema is the music director and conducts the amazing band in the pit. Donna Bonasera worked her magic with the stellar choreography for the massive production numbers, with my favorite being “Voulez-Vous.”

“Thank You For The Music”

From my seat in the back of the house, I found some of the lighting design by Andrew Smith a bit dark at times for a sun-drenched Greek island. At other times, the colors were quite lovely and added to the set designed by Stephen C. Houk with Karla Wentworth as scenic artist/props master. Sound designed by Dustin Pfaender worked well. Eric Lindblom, the current host of ‘Backstage’ on WZBG, served as key grip and Donna Williams was production stage manager of this big show.

Costume designer Renee Purdy and co-costume designer Aurora Montenero got everything right as always. The modern street clothes brought us to the Greek isle and the spangled ABBA-inspired ensembles were impressive and fun.

As the single mom Donna Sheridan, the multi-talented Priscilla Squiers (most recently Miss Shingle in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER) is simply a joy to watch, as I knew she would be. Kudos to this “Super Trouper” on another star performance.

Alyssa Bianca made her Warner Theatre debut in the role of 20-year-old Sophie Sheridan. The Marist College graduate possesses a truly lovely singing voice that she used to make her characterization most convincing. I look forward to seeing this young performer in other roles.

The three gentlemen who played the three potential fathers of Sophie were so well cast. Jonathan Jacobson (all nine of the D’Ysquith family members in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE) was a wonderful Harry Bright, an English banker who gets to duet with Donna for "Our Last Summer." Bret R. Basaillon (THE IRISH AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER,) a Grade 5 teacher in Waterbury, was a riot as writer and adventurer Bill Austin and Bill Molnar (Benjamin Stone in FOLLIES) stood tall in the role of Sam Carmichael, a dashing Irish architect with a hippie past, and yes, he can sing.

Michael O’Hazo (ONCE) was charming in the role of Sophie’s betrothed Sky. Michael Ramalho, a senior at WAMS who plans to major in musical theatre at The University of the Arts in the fall, was great as Pepper and Douglas McCarthy (NEWSIES) played Eddie. Jim Wood (FOLLIES, NEWSIES) stepped out of the ensemble to play Father Alexandrios in the final scenes.

Laura Blackwell, in her first time on the magnificent Warner stage, did very well as the willowy, much-married former backup singer Tanya (“Does Your Mother Know”) and Marilyn Olsen (Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD) just about stole the show as the other Dynamo named Rosie. We did not need to “Take a Chance” on her; I smiled every time that she entered the stage.

Danielle Golden, in her WSC debut, and Reyna Santiago, a NVCC student making her community theatre debut, were full of energy as Sophie’s friends Ali and Lisa respectively. Every member of the ensemble, all clad in contemporary clothes, sang and danced up a storm. And shout outs to the pit singers E. Karl Gallmeyer, Catherine Thoben-Quirk, Devlin Tenney, Jodiann Tenney and Beckie Wallace; I wish I was right there with you all.

“Knowing Me, Knowing You”

I felt very good as I left this “ultimate feel good musical,” having sung along with just about every number and enjoyed the inspired dance routines. The opening night audience cheered at the extended curtain call and I felt sorry for the few patrons that snuck out before it was completely over, for they missed a fun surprise. Stick around until the house lights come up, trust me.

“The Winner Takes It All”

MAMMA MIA! runs on the Warner Theatre mainstage through May 12. Next up at the Warner will be DISASTER! A 70’s DISASTER MOVIE….MUSICAL created by Seth Rudetsky that opens on June 15. I have heard a rumor that Sharon W. Houk will be appearing onstage for this one.

Ms. Houk, who most recently directed A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE and has been involved in theatre for over 28 years, stepped into her position as WSC Production Manager to announce the upcoming season at the Warner during her house announcements on opening night. Click here to see what shows will be a part of next season.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.