By Marilyn Jozwik
There’s so much to love about “Mamma Mia!” the musical that features a couple dozen catchy, singable, danceable tunes of ABBA, the Swedish pop group that topped charts with hits from 1974-82.
So, expectations were high for Forte Theatre Company’s rendition on the sprawling Saber Center stage at Franklin High School. And from the moment the curtain opens on the taverna courtyard the audience is transported to an idyllic Greek isle and transfixed by the music, dance and performances. Randall Dodge directs.
Bob Sagadin’s gorgeous set certainly provides the perfect playground for performers with its romantic setting -- a two-story, vine-covered “stone” taverna, guest rooms, a couple sets of stairs, lots of windows for cast to pop through, and a blue sky or orange-tinged night background. You can almost taste the salty Aegean Sea.
The ample set also gives Karl Miller’s sparkling choreography lots of room for this professional-quality cast to execute so crisply and energetically.
The story is sweet and charming, with enough mystery to keep the audience guessing (that is, if you’re one of six people who haven’t seen the movie or play before.). Sophie (Hope Riesterer), the daughter of taverna owner Donna (Kathy Pyeatt), is getting married to Sky (Liam Ledford). She never knew a father, but after secretly reading her mom’s diary, she determines it could be one of three men – Sam (Stephen Pfisterer), Bill (Joel Kopischke) or Harry (Karl Miller). She has her heart set on being walked down the aisle by her father, so she invites all three to the wedding, unbeknownst to her mother. This sets off a whole series of emotional interactions and rollicking good times.
Donna (Kathy Pyeatt), center, dances with her friends and former band mates Rosie (Candace Decker), left, and Tanya (Rebi Davies) in a scene from Forte Theatre Company’s “Mamma Mia!” Photo by Mark Frohna
This is an outstanding cast headed by Riesterer, who checks all the boxes for the perfect Sophie – strong vocals and dance (honed during her four years with the Kids from Wisconsin, no doubt), as well as a sincerity and likeability in her performance. She hits some nice emotional pitches in “What’s the Name of the Game” with potential dad Bill.
Pyeatt navigates a roller-coaster of emotions as Sophie’s mom Donna – excitement at her daughter’s wedding and reuniting with her former band mates Tanya (Rebi Davies) and Rosie (Candace Decker), anger at seeing men she doesn’t want to, and sadness at losing her daughter in “Slipping Through My Fingers.” Pyeatt, Decker and Davies don’t disappoint with ABBA favorites “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen” with their full, rich, sound. But I especially enjoyed the sweet “Chiquitita,” when the two friends comfort Donna.
The cast also delivers exceptional dance and vocal quality. Vanessa Shroeder-Weber is music director.
Ali (Megan Miller, fourth from right, and Lisa (Emmeline Buesling), third from right, get in a dance party mood with Ensemble members Heather Blachowski, from left, Dance Captain Thom J. Cauley, Caleb Lawrence, Ian Frisch, Michael Trimboli and Sophia Roth in a scene from Forte Theatre Company’s “Mamma Mia!” Photo by Mark Frohna
The ensemble fills out the tunes beautifully and fills the stage with super dance moves. The audience loved the flippered male dance line in “Lay All Your Love on Me,” featuring Sophie’s intended Sky. I especially enjoyed Sophie’s pals Ali (Megan Miller) and Lisa (Emmeline Buesing) and their youthful energy and the audience engagement they displayed in tunes like “Honey, Honey,” where the trio peruse Sophie’s mom’s diary.
Other highlights include Ian Frisch’s effective gymnastics in “Does Your Mother Know?” as he tries to impress Tanya, and Pfisterer’s Sam’s heartfelt “Knowing Me, Knowing You.”
Sound is crystal clear, which meant no lost lines, giving the audience a chance to appreciate the fabulous, upbeat ABBA tunes as well as the show’s humor, much provided by veterans Decker and Kopischke, who are always so much fun to watch.
So, if you’re looking for a virtual trip to a Greek isle for a dance party, without the jet lag, don’t miss a trip to Forte’s “Mamma Mia!”
If you go:
Who: Forte Theatre Company
What: “Mamma Mia!”
When: Through April
Where: Saber Center for the Performing Arts, 8222 S. 51st St., Franklin
Info/Tickets: ForteTheatreCompany.org/414-366-3634