By Chris Heide
The current Broadway touring production of Mamma Mia! brings a shimmering blend of heart, hilarity, and high-octane musicality to stages across the country. In this revival, it's not just the infectious ABBA score that gets the audience dancing in their seats. Directed with a crisp comic sensibility and executed with thrilling panache, this version strikes a near-perfect balance between camp and sincerity.
At the center of the production is Christine Sherrill as Donna Sheridan, a role that demands emotional depth, comedic agility, and powerhouse vocals; Sherrill delivers on every front. With a commanding stage presence and an arresting vocal range, she channels the raw honesty of a woman revisiting her past while still making room for buoyant humor and maternal warmth. Her performance of “The Winner Takes It All” is nothing short of a vocal masterclass: emotionally restrained when needed, explosive when it counts. Sherrill evokes the charisma of a young Lena Olin, yet sings with the effortless control and vocal dexterity of Kelly Clarkson. It’s a performance that anchors the show in authenticity without losing its glittery charm.
(L to R) Jalynn Steele (Tanya), Christine Sherrill (Donna Sheridan), and Carly Sakolove (Rosie). Photo by Joan Marcus.
The choreography, reimagined for this tour by Anthony Van Laast (originally choreographed for the West End and Broadway), remains a standout. It’s brilliantly synchronized and buoyantly kinetic. The ensemble numbers like “Voulez-Vous” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” are bursting with precision, athleticism, and flair. The dancers execute each sequence with thrilling energy, embodying the disco-era euphoria that defines the spirit of the show. The choreography serves the storytelling, elevating both comedic beats and emotional arcs.
Vocally, the cast is uniformly strong, with tight ensemble harmonies and soloists who bring fresh interpretations to ABBA's beloved hits. Special praise goes to the performers playing Donna’s Dynamo sisters, whose comedic timing is razor-sharp. Their chemistry and delivery in “Chiquitita” and “Dancing Queen” earned some of the evening’s biggest laughs, showcasing the production’s impeccable balance of levity and poignancy.
Still, no show is without its quibbles. Some of the scenic transitions felt hurried, and at times, the glossy energy of the production risked overshadowing the more tender emotional moments. A more generous pause to let certain moments breathe might have allowed the characters’ relationships to resonate even deeper. But these are minor stumbles in an otherwise dazzling revival.
Ultimately, this Mamma Mia! tour is a crowd-pleasing triumph. With brilliant choreography, powerful vocals, and a knowing sense of humor that never veers into caricature, the show remains as joyful and irresistible as ever. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time visitor to the Greek island of Kalokairi, this production offers a night of unabashed musical joy.