"Mamma Mia!"

June 21, 2023 — For the first show of its 20th season, Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, New Hampshire chose the hugely popular Mamma Mia! Up to now, I had been ignoring this play, known as a jukebox musical. I didn't see the Broadway version that ran from 2001 to 2015, nor did I see the 2008 movie starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. I also resisted all the performances that played almost yearly around New Hampshire. But my curiosity finally got the best of me and I had to see for myself if the play is deserving of such demand. I can happily report it is!

The play has a rather hokey but charming story line. But you don't see Mamma Mia! so much for the story, but for the songs and dazzling production numbers. Those things it has in abundance, performed by the "Winnie's" professional cast. The songs are from the 1970s Swedish group ABBA. Most of us will find "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "I Have a Dream" and others familiar.

Sophie (Teghan Marie Kelly) has traveled to a fictional Greek island for her marriage to Sky (Andy Edelman). Her mother, Donna (Ashley Meeken) follows to attend the wedding. But something is missing for Sophia — her father. She never knew who he was, and Donna has never been forthcoming with that information. He may be one of three gentlemen Donna invited to the wedding, Bill (Alex Huffman), Harry (Jason Thomas Sofge), Sam (Andy Hansen), or maybe none of those.

Ashley Meeken as Donna is the one to watch. Tall, with great stage presence and a powerful voice, she dominates most of the production numbers. Another cast member, Ashley Rubin as Tanya, appears in a torrid sea-going dance number in a leopard-patterned bathing suit. Besides those already mentioned, other cast members, all excellent, were Deijah Faulkner, Sabrina Koss, Dwan Hayes, Vinnie Canale, Eddie Uribe and Kevin L. Scarlett, backed up by a talented ensemble.

Mamma Mia! music and lyrics are by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. Chloe Kounadis was director and choreographer for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse presentation and Braden Chudzik was music director. Melissa Shakun designed the set. Olivia Kirschbaum designed the costumes, quite an achievement for such a large cast with many costume changes.

Did Sophie learn who her father was? Well, sort of. You have to see it.