Lyric Stage presents Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia!
Directed by Christopher J. Deaton
Music Directed and keyboards by Vonda K. Bowling
Band Members Benjamin Brown, Dennis Langevin, Kami Lujan, Michael Ptacin, Aaron Sutton, Clayton Williams, Geno Young
Resident Music Supervisor Bruce Greer
Choreographed by Kelly McCain
Lighting Design by Scott Guenther
Sound Design and Engineering by Jorge Guerra
Costume Design and Coordination by Megan A. Liles
My Thoughts on Mamma Mia! or…Greece is the word! or…Who’s your daddy?
Lyric Stage presents
Mamma Mia!
Music and Lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Book by Catherine Johnson
Originally conceived by Judy Cramer
Directed by Christopher J. Deaton
Music Directed by Vonda K. Bowling
Choreographed by Kelly McCain
First of all, let me dispel the rumor that all those productions of Mamma Mia! in the summer of 2019 were responsible for the pandemic. There is simply no truth to it. Probably started by some theater that couldn’t get the rights. Now with the pandemic behind us (hopefully) we finally get the definitive production of the musical and can now lock it away for five years or so until we are once again overwhelmed by the ABBA urge.
Lyric Stage has done ABBA right and it all starts with the music. Music Director Vonda K. Bowling and the band provide music that sounds better than any ABBA record I ever owned (Yeah, I admit it) and I really liked the way the band underscored the dialogue of the musical, making transitions back and forth to the singing flawless.
The stage is always marvelous to behold thanks to Scott Guenther’s lighting. Calming shades of blue suggesting the Mediterranean or Aegean Seas are reflected on large panels that define spaces and Guenther really brings out the spectacular lighting when Donna and the Dynamos perform their big comeback number.(Forgive me for assuming that everyone in the known world is familiar with the plot of Mamma Mia! by now.) The scenic design is uncredited, but consists of chairs, tables, beds, and benches. It’s simple, but serves the movement of the play well. The sound by Jorge Guerra was perfect the night I attended and every splendid vocal was clear. The costumes designed by Megan A. Liles go from beach casual, and in the case of Tanya, beach chic, to some nice glittery outfits for the performing trio to Sophie’s wedding dress.
But it’s the performers here that make me want to stick Mamma Mia! in the vault for the next five years. I didn’t think Mary Gilbreath Grim could top her performance as Mother in Lyric’s Ragtime, but her Donna Sheridan is one for the books. Grim has the ability to act her songs, as well as displaying an incredible range and belt. And so what if it’s ABBA songs? Grim makes them her own. Additionally, she gets to display quite the acting range as mother, friend, and lover. As Sophie, Donna’s daughter and bride to be, Presley Duyck claims her spot in the DFW star firmament. The honey voiced Duyck makes Sophie alternately playful, vulnerable, and wise. It’s easy to see why her boyfriend Sky, played with winning charm by Dwight Taylor, would fall in love with her, because the audience certainly did. As Donna’s backup singers, Rosie and Tanya, Samantha Padilla and Megan A. Liles, are both strong singers and elicit almost constant laughter. Liles shines in “Does Your Mother Know” as she flirts with a younger man and Padilla’s “Take A Chance On Me” with the character of Bill Austin, one of Sophie’s possible fathers, played by the terrific Cody Alarcon, is one of the comic highlights of the evening. As the other two possible dad candidates the dashing Sergio Antonio Garcia as Harry Bright and suave Aaron Mateo Arroyo are also adept at comic acting, singing, and delivering a double entendre or two.
The production gains much of its strength from the supporting characters and the ensemble who make this Mamma Mia! Abba-solutely spectacular. Danny Vanegas as Eddie and Michael Alonzo as Pepper, who are both appealing and endearing, use their skills to take choreographer Kelly McCain’s always exciting dances to new heights in “Does Your Mother Know” aided by Thi Le as Lisa and Jessica Webba , who are both witty and delightful as Sophie’s bridesmaids. Rounding out this dynamite and always singing and dancing ensemble are Carissa Aguila, Eden Grace Barrus, Annie Olive Cahill, Edward Michael Escamilla, Stephanie Felton, Victoria Gomez, Lucas Haupert, who also plays Father Alexandrios, Hunter Hurt, Spencer Laboda, Andrew Nicolas, Collin Phillips, Ryan Ramirez, Reyna Sanchez, Cari Walton, and Kelsey Jordan Ward.
This is the most fun I have had attending and the finest cast I have seen in Mamma Mia! since seeing it on Broadway at Thanksgiving 2001. New York was healing then, and the corny appeal of the musical was just the right antidote. Maybe the world doesn’t seem quite as dire as it did then, but there is still the need to have our spirits lifted and to celebrate. So why stay home when you can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life? Thanks, Lyric and Director Christopher J. Deaton, and I’ll see you in five Mamma Mia!
Photo by Jamie Brogdon Photography
