Mamma Mia!—Stumptown Stages—downtown Portland

       
          “Thanks for the Memories”

    This popular musical has music and lyrics by Benny Anderson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, with Stig Anderson, book by Catherine Johnson and directed and choreographed by Christopher George Patterson, and music direction by Adam Joseph Young.  It is playing at the Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, through February 16^th.  For more information, go to their site at www.stumptownstages.org

    “If music be the food of love, play on!”  In truth, what passes for “love,” in most filmic and literary definitions of the word, is really just simply lust or animal attraction.  But our poetic natures refuse this baser explanation of a truly enigmatic feeling, which is both very personal and undefinable.

And so, we are left, in this story, with what can be best described as a love child, with the possibility of three fathers.  Of course, if “safe sex” had been practiced, or a paternity DNA test issued, there would be no such questions nor, of course, no story.  So, sit back, relax, and let the Magic of the Greek isles weave its spell on you.

    The story is woven around the music of ABBA and cleverly done, too, from an “Age of no regrets.”  (Julie Traymore, of Broadway’s Lion King fame, did a similar film with a story woven around Beatles music.)

    Donna (the incomparable, Margie Boule’) has had her space in the sun, on her little, Greek island, running an Inn, for about 20 years, and raising, as a single mom, her daughter, Sophie (Jacqueline Mallene).  But changes are in the wind and her daughter has found the man of her dreams, Sky (Michael Castillo), and so, a wedding is planned.  Which means, of course, a huge party, with Donna’s two best friends attending, the vivacious, Tonya (Lisamarie Harrison, reprising her role from the Broadway Rose production) and the spunky, Rosie (Elizabeth Hadley).

    And, of course, that means Sophie’s best friends must also attend, the sassy, Lisa (Tina Mascaro) and the fun-loving, Ali (Liz O’Donnell).  There are also some very available young studs around for any unattached females, helpers at the Inn, the winsome, Pepper (Xander Dean) and the energetic, Eddie (Jeff George).   

Only one, teeny-weeny, little fly-in-the-olive-oil, she wants her dad to walk her down the aisle, as per tradition.  Only one small problem, she doesn’t know who  he is, so she invites all three of the potential suitors (according to her Mom’s journal), the designer, Sam (Shawn Rogers), Bill (Steve Coker), the writer, and Harry (Doug Zimmerman), the banker…from that fateful time period, when she was conceived…to the ceremony, in the hopes of finding out who her real dad is.

    “In the meantime, in-between time, ain’t we got fun!” Can’t tell you the rest without spoiling the tale but, trust me, the music, dancing and songs transport one to the land of, if not “happy” endings, at least, “hopeful” ones.

    All the popular songs are there, including the popular, “Dancing Queen” and, of course, “Mamma Mia.”  The songs and dances are a-plenty, all very well executed by an extremely talented troupe of performers, with nary a weak link in the bunch.  Harrison knocks ‘em dead with, “Does Your Mother Know,” and Hadley explodes with, “Take a Chance on Me,” both show-stoppers.  The dancers excel, especially in “Voulez-Vous.”  And Boule’ raised the roof with the emotional, “The Winner Takes It All”—powerful in the extreme!

    The acting was top-flight, too, among the ladies and, after all, it is their show.  But the guys lend ample support, with the most natural being Coker, with his easy-going manner and charm, giving a natural feel for the role.  Patterson has infused it with a winning cast and fast-paced delivery.

    On a personal note, I was seated in a section of the theatre where my sightlines of S/R action were hampered and had a pole in front me…not good placement for a reviewer…nor any audience member…so best check on the layout of seats when reserving them.

    I recommend this show.  If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS