Cast of 'MAMMA MIA!' performs the 10th Broadway Anniversary of 'MAMMA MIA!' at the Winter Garden Theatre on October …First things first: "Mamma Mia!" —the Catherine Johnson-penned celebration of ABBA's music set to narrative—was a stage musical first before it became a movie.
It was actually one of the big hits of West End (and Broadway, eventually) nine years before the film adaptation came out, eventually winning numerous Tony, Drama Desk, and Laurence Olivier awards.
But chances are, the average entertainment consumer would have known of it only through the engaging performances of Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, and Pierce Brosnan in the movie version.  Therefore one might have their performances in mind as the international touring production of "Mamma Mia!" holds its theatrical run in the Philippines.  At the Cultural Center of the Philippines' main theater, to be exact.
Thankfully, the characters are so archetypal that you forget the Hollywood version and remember the characters for what they are: funny, invigorating, and human.
The story revolves around 20-year-old Sophie Sheridan (played by Charlotte Wakefield) who is preparing to get married to her fiance Sky (David Roberts). Sophie wants her father to walk her down the aisle...if she can only find out which of her mother Donna's (Sara Poyzer) former paramours is her dad. To make things convenient, the bride-to-be invites all three of her suspected dads to the wedding.  Donna panics, hilarity ensues.
Festive and magical
No doubt, the ABBA songs retain their timelessness. When Wakefield opens everything with "I Have a Dream," it sets the charmingly hopeful tone of the rest of the narrative.  The naiveté in her voice forms a nice contrast to her amusingly worldlier mother played by Poyzer.
Richard Standing, who plays could-be-father Sam, is no Pierce Brosnan.  And why should he be? The former James Bond has nothing on Standing when it comes to singing chops, and the theater actor plays the character more sensitively.
One thing that's quite noticeable is that, when compared to the voices of local theater actors, the cast members' voices were weaker.  You can't help but look for that extra punch when they belt out "Chiquitita" or even the title track.
However, the whole ensemble, when together, blends more efficiently than a good number of local ensembles.  No one trying to outdo the other, just plain harmony.  And it is when everyone sings together that the show becomes more festive and magical.

Made for slam-bang musical lovin' Pinoys
Comparisons aside, the one character who stole the show was Jennie Dale's Rosie, one of Donna's matron friends who apparently has more verve than what she lets people on.  Her "climactic" scene was where she really cut loose, and endeared her to the theatergoers.
Speaking of cutting loose, there's the brilliant production numbers worth of ABBA. That part definitely connected with the slam-bang musical-loving Pinoy audience.
The touring production also had a brilliant idea for their set, a Greek-styled enclosure that can be dismantled, rotated, and rearranged to form the various locations within the story (which isn't that hard, if you think about it. The story is all set in the Greek island of Calicos, anyway).
With all the talk surrounding "Mamma Mia's" run here, is it worth the hefty ticket price (from P750 to P7000)? After all, our local thespians can give the British cast a run for their money, and our plays here are much cheaper.  But then again, should we even raise the idea of Us vs. Them?
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