Review: MAMMA MIA! at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, You Will Have The Time of Your Life!

Mamma Mia is a jukebox musical that is based on the songs of ABBA written by British playwright Catherine Johnson. It has a very familiar set list including "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me," "Lay All Your Love on Me," and many more catchy ABBA tunes scattered throughout the show. The musical takes on a new light at Grand Rapids Civic theatre in their current production that runs through March 17th in Grand Rapids.

The show starts on an island with Sophie (Breighanna Minnema) living with and in her mother, Donna's (Heather Cregg) bed and breakfast and wanting to get married to her boyfriend, Sky (Cullen Dyk). She is unsure who her father is and stumbles across her mother's diary only to find out the details of three dates that her mom went on with Harry (Eric Beuker), Bill (Bob Wells), and Sam (Bill Reynolds). It is a very detailed description of said dates, which end in with, as she reads "dot, dot, dot." She invites them to her wedding in hopes that she can try to figure out who her father is by sending them all an invite using her mom's name on the invitations. Her mother's friends, and former bandmates of Donna and the Dynamos, Tanya (Maura Pheney Lamoreaux) and Rose (Sarah LaCroix) show up for the wedding to give a few special show stopping performances in the show including at the bachelorette party. The three mystery men show up to the island only to all find out that she may potentially be there daughter, but in the meantime, each find a relationship. Her mother is so surprised when the men show up, she doesn't know what to think see them again! After everything that has happened, Sophie is unsure she wants to get married. Will there be a wedding? Will Donna and the Dynamos reunite? Come see Mamma Mia at Grand Rapids Civic for a show that will have you dancing and singing along with the finale performance of "Mamma Mia" and "Dancing Queen!"

I was really impressed by all the performers but must give credit to Grand Rapids Civic first-time performer, Heather Cregg (Donna), and I hope to see her back to Grand Rapids Civic in her acting future. She was able to carry a huge role in her first show there, with vocal talent that would have you believe she's done musical theatre before and she had the acting to back the vocals up! With bright-colored 80's style ABBA inspired costumes and a great backing track from the Grand Rapids Civic pit, it was hard not to sing along with them and the audience will be singing the songs for days after. The music keeps the show flowing along with the set and costumes is like you are on the island. Go see one of the hottest shows in town, that is selling out performances and has even added extra shows already to those days!

Mamma Mia! is currently running now through March 17th at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre in Grand Rapids. For more information and specific showtimes, including the added performances, visit www.grct.org. Tickets can be bought directly at: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/13170/grand-rapids-civic-theatre#_ga=2.222294104.1776194597.1539691596-231799574.1528471234

Connect with Grand Rapids Civic on Facebook facebook.com/GrandRapidsCivicTheatre, on Twitter @grcivictheatre, and on Instagram @grcivictheatre.

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