Smash hit musical ‘Mamma Mia’ takes stage at Springer Opera House

Calling all Dancing Queens: The Springer Opera House has opened its 2018-19 season with the feel-good hit musical “Mamma Mia.”

The curtain was raised Friday on the Springer’s 2018-19 Broadway Series with the smash hit musical. The show runs through Oct. 7.

“Mamma Mia” is a feel-good, woman-powered story set to radio hits by ABBA. It has become a worldwide sensation that has audiences everywhere dancing.

Lasting nearly 14 years on Broadway and still running in London, where it premiered in 1999, “Mamma Mia” has been seen by more than 60 million people across the world in 26 languages. “Mamma Mia’s” success defined a new genre for musical theatre, the “jukebox musical,” which functions as a “greatest hits” showcase for a particular songwriter or songwriters, pairing pre-existing songs with a storyline.

“Mamma Mia” paved the way for other jukebox musicals drawn from the recording careers of Green Day (American Idiot), Billy Joel (Movin’ Out), Frankie Valle and the (Jersey Boys) and Carole King (Beautiful).

“Setting a storyline to the music of Abba gives more depth to the music, making it much more than just a catchy pop song,” said Shane Hall, the show’s director and choreographer. “’Mamma Mia’ is a little story with a lot of heart. The actors have worked hard to bring heart and depth to an otherwise campy scene. That is something I wanted to do with our production. I feel that a lot of people can relate to this show. Either being from a broken home or someone who doesn’t know or have a relationship with a parent. Being adopted, I connected with this show immediately. When I finally got the chance to meet my biological parents, I had so many questions about who I am, just like the character Sophie.”

The show is based around Sophie and is set on a small Greek island. Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is. Her mother, Donna (Kaitlyn Lawrence), the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam (Vince Wingerter), Bill (Michael J. Parker) and Harry (Russ Yoe). Sophie secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’d know her father when she sees him. However, when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought.

Hall, who saw the show on Broadway, says the Springer’s version has “amped up” the choreography from the original version.

“It’s a very challenging show for our actors,” he said “On top of lots of dancing, the cast is constantly singing, even while off stage, bringing that true Abba sound to life.”

“Mamma Mia” opened at the Springer Friday and runs through Oct. 7. Tickets are on sale now at the Springer Box Office. The Springer has discounts for students, military, public servants, seniors and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at 103 10th St., by phone at 706-327-3688 or online at springeroperahouse.org.

This story was originally published September 19, 2018 at 12:36 PM.