The greatest hits of Swedish pop sensations ABBA and a Greek beach resort set the tone for "Mamma Mia!," a lively, light-hearted musical on Broadway. Named for the group's 1975 smash hit, "Mamma Mia!" was composed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, two former members of the chart-topping quartet.
Before making its way to Broadway on Oct. 18, 2001, the musical ran in London in 1999, Toronto and San Francisco in 2000, and Los Angeles and Chicago in 2001. After its success on Broadway, "Mamma Mia!" officially opened its curtains in Las Vegas in 2003.
Love, Dancing and Misadventures in Greece The plot of this tale follows a young protagonist named Sophie who is about to be married. The narrative takes shape when she begins the search for the father she's never known (whom she wants to walk her down the aisle).
After reading her mother's diary, Sophie decides to send invitations to three likely candidates, in the hopes that she'll learn which one is her real dad. Sophie's fiercely independent mother, Donna, is shocked when her former flames show up for the wedding, and playful drama ensues.
The Songs of ABBA Gain New Life After taking the disco world by storm, the songs of ABBA are getting a new lease on life in the 21st century. With Andersson and Ulvaeus on board from the beginning of the concept, the musical includes many of the group's hits including "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me" and "SOS."
ABBA songs got another boost in popularity, thanks to the film adaptation of the musical in 2008, starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and many other high-profile stars.
Is This Production Appropriate for Children? The material in "Mamma Mia!" isn't overly explicit, and the cheery songs and spirited dancing make this show perfect for the whole family. The production encourages singing along and dancing in the aisles, so "Mamma Mia!" is sure to be an entertaining ride.
If I Like "Mamma Mia!", What Else Should I See? If you enjoy the hijinks and comic misunderstandings in "Mamma Mia!," you'd probably like "La Cage aux Folles" on Broadway. The play involves the misadventures of the main character and his gay lover when they meet his son's fiancee and her ultra-conservative parents.