Broadway’s infectious musical rolls into town for fourth time
By Charlene Baldridge | Reportero SDUN
A Nederlander Presentation brings the North American tour of the infectious hit musical “Mamma Mia!” to San Diego’s Civic Theatre May 31-June 5. This is the fourth time San Diego has seen a touring production of the musical.
Armed with upbeat music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and based on a clever fictional book by British playwright Catherine Johnson, “Mamma Mia!” opened in London in 1999. A Broadway production followed in 2001 and is still playing. The feature film adaptation is the most successful movie musical of all time.
For the uninitiated, the plot concerns Donna Sheridan (Kaye Tuckerman), a single mother and owner of a tavern on a Greek island. Donna’s daughter Sophie (Chloe Tucker) plans to be married to her fiancé, Sky (Happy Mahaney) and wants to have her father walk her down the aisle. Problem is, her “generous” and openhearted mom is not quite sure just who that could be. Armed with knowledge gleaned from Mom’s diary, Sophie sends wedding invitations to the three most likely sires: Sam, an American architect (John Bisom), Bill, a Swedish writer (John-Michael Zuerlein), and Harry, a British banker (Paul DeBoy). In addition to the three “fathers,” the musical is populated with friends of the bride, the groom and the mom. In the end, there is an elopement and a wedding. We’re not telling who.
Performances at 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Prices vary. Contact Civic Theatre Box Office, broadwaySD.com, Ticketmaster.com or (800) 982-2787.
Broadway/San Diego started out in 1976 as San Diego Playgoers, shortly after presenting “Equus” at the Spreckels Theatre. Shows were presented at the Fox Theatre (now Copley Symphony Hall) and then back at the Spreckels before the organization established a permanent home at the Civic Theatre in 1986.
Look for “Shrek” (July 5-10) and then watch out for “Mary Poppins” (August 10-28), which officially opens Broadway/San Diego’s 35th anniversary season, celebrating the year with national tours that include “The Addams Family,” “Rock of Ages,” “Blue Man Group,” “Come Fly Away,” and the multiple 2010 Tony-nominated “Memphis,” which originated at La Jolla Playhouse and recently played cinemas nationwide in HD. In addition, Broadway/San Diego will present extra-season, return engagements of “Wicked” and “Cats.”
“This season is especially eclectic,” says Diane E. Willcox, general manager of Broadway/San Diego. “It’s an appropriate reflection of our past 35 years. We have the elegant and seductive dance musical, “Come Fly Away,” and the raucous and hilarious, big hair meets big dreams musical, “Rock of Ages,” as the perfect illustrations of the breadth of our presentations and our audience.”
A variety of subscription packages are on sale now. Holders of current subscriptions receive preferential treatment. There are discounts for seniors, members and big savings for those who purchase tickets in the balcony “cloud” seats. Check it out at broadwaySD.com.
