As the lights dimmed and the band began the introduction, the audience can feel the pure excitement radiating throughout the theater. A solo voice beamed throughout the theater. In this moment, the Broadway production Mamma Mia! began an unforgettable performance.

Mamma Mia! was written by Catherine Johnson and first performed in 1999. It’s a musical set on a Greek island the day before a family wedding. The bride Sophie has waited all her life to find out who her father was and decided the day of the wedding was the perfect time to find out. The drama continues when she invites all three of her possible fathers. It unfolds into a two day of event of breakout dance numbers and songs.

When the curtain was raised, it revealed a simple set. Throughout the entire show, it kept the same set piece. Scene changes consisted of a 180 degree rotation. This simplicity may be viewed as juvenile. Instead it demanded for more acting from the cast, and they delivered.

While the old Fox Theater was being flooded with the upbeat tunes from ABBA, it was hard to find yourself not singing and dancing right along with the cast. The talent of the women performers, however, outshined the talent of the men.

Erin Fish played the role of Donna Sheridan, and in my eyes stole the show. In 2008, when the movie Mamma Mia! aired, Meryl Streep, who also played Donna, left big shoes to fill. Fish held her own. She captivated the audience and poured her soul into every song.

This theatrical version allowed for more humor and a more extended version from the movie. The classic jokes of this well-known production were delivered flawlessly and left a sweet aftertaste in every viewer.

I’ve watched Mamma Mia! hundreds of times. I know the movie like the back of my hand. I was nervous not knowing what to expect of the live performance. It’s safe to say that Mamma Mia exceeded my expectations. Overall, it’s just a great experience. I felt as if I was at the island, singing and dancing right along at the wedding. I recommend seeing this production to everyone. It was an irresistible time of excitement that should be felt by everyone.