Review: Here We Go Again at The Ziegfeld Theater's MAMMA MIA!

Put on your dancing shoes and make your way to the Ziegfeld Theater's hilarious rendition of MAMMA MIA!

MAMMA MIA!, (Book by Catherine Johnson, Music and Lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson), is the tale of a mother-daughter duo running a bed and breakfast in Greece. When daughter Sophie, played by Kali Williams, gets engaged, she decides she wants her father to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. The only problem? Her mother Donna, played by Heidi Potter Hunt, doesn't know who the father is. Once it's narrowed down to three, Sophie secretly invites all three to the wedding in hopes that it will be obvious. . . but it isn't.

The Ziegfeld is pulling all the punches by kicking off its seventh season with MAMMA MIA! Not your typical musical, with the entire show dedicated to the playful upbeat tunes of famed 70s disco pop band, ABBA.

The female leads in this show provide a much-appreciated dose of female empowerment and sisterhood. The chemistry on stage was palpable and their enthusiasm for this production permeated the theater.

Williams absolutely shines as Sophie, delivering stellar vocals and an outstanding overall performance, complemented by her fiance' Sky, played by Wyatt Welch. The two make an adorable pair, beaming with love and overflowing with talent.

Hunt is a star in the emotional, hilarious and talented role of Sophie's mother, Donna. She also served as the show's music director, and her brilliant choices did not go unnoticed.

Donna's long-time best friends Rosie, played by Holly Hartman Pivonka, and Tanya, played by Lindsay Gladwell Kapetanov, provided some of the most entertaining and comical performances. Their no-holds-barred approach to their love-hungry, eccentric, loyal characters left the audience in tears of laughter and shouts of joy.

The three candidates for Sophie's father, Harry, played by Timothy Behunin, Bill, played by David Knowles, and Sam, played by Kevin Ireland, were perfectly lovable as the ex-lovers of Donna and potential fathers of Sophie.

Joining the phenomenal leads was an equally talented ensemble. The stage was filled with dancing queens (and kings), who left their hearts and souls on the stage with their dedication to the disco-inspired choreography by Bryan Andrews.

The live band was the icing on the cake of this delightful production. Sharon Datuin and Jonathan McDonald on keys, Jake Martin on guitar, Randal Palmer on bass, and Cameron Kapetanov on drums added a flair to the show that is demanded for the musical stylings of ABBA, and they did not disappoint. Thank you for the music.

MAMMA MIA! is playing at the Ziegfeld now through March 16. Take a chance on a night of joy and laughter and don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers.

Grab your family and your best friends to sing along at this exciting show! It will leave you singing gimme gimme gimme more MAMMA MIA! Call the box office for more information or to purchase tickets: 855-944-2787.

Photo Credit: L-R Lindsay Gladwell Kapetanov, Heidi Potter Hunt, Holly Hartman Pivonka

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