Review: Fulton Theatre’s Mamma Mia!

The Fulton Theatre is ending a spectacular season with an epic party! Mamma Mia! is a fun and colorful display of incredible talent and pure musical theatre bliss!

The show opens with the rocking power cords of the overture, as the lights reveal a beautiful island paradise. Only life on this island isn’t as serene as a trip to a Sandals Resort—it’s even better! It’s full of bold and colorful disco costumes, ABBA hits, and a big white wedding that gets a little complicated by a visit from some old friends.

Mamma Mia! has always had such lovable characters, and Katie Bates, who plays Sophie Sheridan, and Christine Sherrill who plays Donna Sheridan, portray these roles flawlessly. Their chemistry as a mother-daughter duo is so natural—doing justice to the sweet and loving relationship between a mom and daughter, while also shedding some light on the problematic parts of single parent living. You will fall in love with these two instantly!

We can’t talk about Donna and not mention the Dynamos! Donna’s longtime best friends and bandmates, Tanya and Rosie, are hysterical! Charis Leos, who plays Rosie, and Megan Nicole Arnoldy, who plays Tanya, work off of each other perfectly and will have you laughing out loud.  

Of course, we can’t forget about the three reasons this show gets so exciting! In hopes to find her real dad, Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past—Sam Carmichael, played by Jeffery Coon, Bill Austin, played by Fran Prisco, and Harry Bright, played by Chuck Ragsdale. Each adds a fun twist to the show that you’ll have to come and see for yourself!

Now—we all know you can’t have a party without great music and dancing! The music of this show is iconic and contagious. Looking around the theatre, you’ll see audience members mouthing the words to every song, and some will even sing along. Loudly and proudly might we add; not that we’re complaining as we may be guilty of letting a few versus slip out too! The dance numbers are upbeat, fun, and will get you out of your seats waving your hands in the air and joining in on the party! The moment the song Mamma Mia began, you could feel the energy in the room rising. It is such an iconic song that when you hear it live, gives you instant chills!

This show is packed with ABBA’s greatest hits, and even if you haven’t seen it before, you’ll find that you’ll know at least one song. Throughout the show, you could hear audience members raving, even before it ended. “They are amazing, all of them!” and “Wow, I know all of these songs!”.

The energy of the cast was already soaring high. That, added to the excitement of the audience, blew the energy through the roof! The combination of pure talent, vibrant costuming, infectious music, and high energy dances makes for a truly spectacular way to end another fantastic Fulton season!

We can’t give too many surprises away, so you’ll have to see the show to experience the biggest party of the summer! Get your tickets to see Mamma Mia! at theFulton.org today!