During mid-2003, some of my family and I saw the Catherine Johnson / Benny Andersson / Björn Ulvaeus musical "Mamma Mia!" at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (now called the James M. Nederlander Theatre) in Chicago, IL. This might have been the first show I saw at that venue. The Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre had only reopened five years before, following a major restoration project. The Cadillac Palace Theatre had also been restored at that time.
This was the second time "Mamma Mia!" played in Chicago. The first time was when the show played down the street at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a successful 13 week run. While that Chicago Engagement was prior to the Broadway Premiere, it is still considered the First National Tour, as is the production I saw in 2003. Though I guess it depends on who you ask. When the time came for the show to open on Broadway, a new set was built at the Winter Garden Theatre, and a new cast took over the First National Tour when the original company transferred to Broadway. "Mamma Mia!" is about a young woman's quest to discover her father's identity on the eve of her wedding. Her quest results in three men from her mother's past showing up. The musical takes place on a Greek Island where the three men had last seen the mother twenty years before.
In the 2003 return engagement of "Mamma Mia!" the cast included Dee Hoty (Donna Sheridan), Chillina Kennedy (Sophie Sheridan), P.J Griffith (Sky), Gary Lynch (Sam Carmichael), Craig Bennett (Bill Austin), Michael DeVries (Harry Bright), Rosalyn Rahn Kerins (Rosie), and Cynthia Sophiea (Tanya). I saw Rosalyn Rahn Kerins in "Les Misérables" back in 1991. Also, I saw Chilina Kennedy in the National Tour of "The Band's Visit" in 2019, then in the Broadway Production of "The Great Gatsby" in 2024. I also saw her in the 2011 Pre-Broadway Engagement of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the La Jolla Playhouse. The production designer for the touring production of "Mamma Mia!" was Mark Thompson. The associate scenic designer was Nancy Thun. I remember that the show was really good. I just didn't like having to get up and "dance" at the end. When it comes to audience participation shows, I prefer nodding my head and clapping to the music.
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| Dee Hoty and the 2003 Tour Cast of "Mamma Mia!" |
"Mamma Mia!" is not my favorite musical. However, once I saw the movie, I had a new appreciation for the stage production. The only movie I liked better than the musical was "Chicago." Well, actually I liked the film version of "Fiddler on the Roof" better than the stage version too. I am glad to have seen "Mamma Mia!" on stage. I think a lot of people felt that way about the musical. "Mamma Mia!" ran for years on Broadway, having opened in 2001 and played through 2015. The London Production of "Mamma Mia!" has been running since 1999. Most recently, there has been a 25th Anniversary North American Tour of "Mamma Mia!" I didn't read reviews of the new tour, but I'm sure it was good, though probably slightly scaled-down. That is also why I'm grateful to have seen the First National Tour... Or was it the Second National Tour? It depends on who you ask.
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