Theater Review: Mamma Mia!

“Mamma Mia!,” the world’s longest-running jukebox musical, has just opened to a very appreciative audience at San Diego’s Civic Theatre, where it will run through November 12.

The current form stars Alisa Melendez as Sophie Sheridan, a young woman who lives and cavorts on a Greek isle with her mother and several other people, some related, some not, but all talented singers and dancers and, with music from ABBA, great fun to watch. With a book by Catherine Johnson and music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, “Mamma Mia!” is now the eighth-longest-running show in Broadway history.

Having over the years boasted cast members including the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Meryl Streep, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan, the show also has a history of all-star casting.

Now celebrating 13 years and over 5,475 performances on Broadway,”Mamma Mia!” is also an international hit, having been seen by over 54 million people in 39 productions in 14 languages in over 400 cities. The original West End production is now in its 16th year in London.

In case you were wondering, yes, another film is in the offing. But in the meantime, you could do a lot worse than spend an evening at Civic, watching the guys and gals cavort through their bits, singing and dancing to everyone’s delight.

The goofy plot has Sophie hosting three men who all claim to be her father, all of whom have arrived on the island hoping to give her to the man she says she will marry.

Well, of course complications ensue, but mostly what this show is about is people trying to communicate and doing it largely by dancing and singing. You can’t get a much better show than that to spend an evening with. 

Phyllida Lloyd directs this effort with a sure hand and a great attitude, and the cast is backed by a huge (and hugely talented) ensemble of some 14. The band of six pounds out songs with titles like “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Super Trouper” and “The Winner Takes It All.”

It’s not like any other show you’ve ever seen. But that’s why it’s so great to have it here on our stages. Don’t miss this show.

Ticket prices start at $39 and availability is limited.  Performances are Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m; Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 11 at 2 and 8 p.m.; None. 12 at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets available on TicketMaster.com.