MAMMA MIA!

As they say in Italiano: “Mamma Mia!”

On January 15, 1970, TLW (The Little Woman) and I got engaged, and that was 41 years ago. We climbed aboard the LIRR and off we went to the greatest city on Earth and enjoyed some the great things the city offers 41 years later. One of those was the Broadway production of Mamma Mia, at the Winter Garden.

The Winter Garden dates back to 1850 and has burned down several times only to be resurrected by different owners through the years.

Since 2001, this lively pop musical featuring the songs of the Swedish 70’s super-group ABBA has been playing to enthusiastic nightly standing ovations for more than a decade. The show is just down right enjoyable, with such great music and music stylization, and a leading lady with a voice so powerful, so beautiful and so dynamic that you must see it to believe.

The score of 23 songs includes mega-hits "Dancing Queen," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," "Take A Chance on Me," and, of course, the irresistible title song, are all rendered to the point that it will jerk a tear.

There is one scene where the Mother of the Bride is combing her daughter’s hair, and sings this beautiful melodic rendition of a mother’s love, a beautiful moment.

One scene as an example: http://www.entertainment-link.com/broadway/musicals/mamma-mia.asp

This is the kind of production that surprises you, and the music takes you away, and when it is finished, you want more. Three and three quarters hours fly by, the intermission becomes an annoyance since it interrupts, and the show itself keeps your interest until the last note!

By when the last note is sung in the story, the cast comes out for the traditional bows, and there starts the real show, the singing, lifting the audience out of their seats and into the aisles, singing and dancing! Something you rarely see even on Broadway! Its like a religious revival!

Mamma Mia was a gift to TLW from me, we had the best seats in the house, 10 rows back from the stage, in the center, perfect seats. You might say they were the equivalent of being on the 50-yard line! She deserves these seats after 41 years.

I think TLW didn’t expect such a production, and was pleasantly surprised by the show and just how good it was.

The Winter Garden is a beautiful theatre inside; the detailing is very old school and ornate, with sculpture based relief allegories and fine old world designs, with special balconies and lighting.

Although the theatre is not very deep, it is very wide, so having the seats we had was important. There is a balcony that overhangs the orchestra, so there is room for a large audience.

If you haven’t seen it, please do so; it is special.