A few thousand years ago, human beings discovered the technology that allowed them to build more and more sophisticated shelters from the elements. They went from crude shacks to edifices like Notre Dame and The Blue Mosque. Yet for some primal reason, we are still drawn to gathering in the outdoors where it is us against the elements. Like it was last night.
Tuesday night was the opening show for Theatre Under the Stars 2nd offering – Mamma Mia. I was delighted to be asked to attend and thrilled that I could bring the girls and my mom along for the fun too.
The weather gods were not as happy about the event, but TUTS is prepared and the volunteers were happily handing out ponchos so we could hunker down against the elements and enjoy the spectacle.
The Abba-inspired vehicle got quite a boost in popularity by the film adaptation and the sequel too. The premise may get a bit shaky now as my daughter stated ‘why wouldn’t you just do a genetic test and solved the whole dilemma.’ But then we wouldn’t have two hours heading down memory lane listening to great Abba tunes being belted out by a very strong cast of singers and dancers.
And the cast is great. Sophie is played by Keira Jang, returning for her fourth TUTS season and it shows. She can sing and dance. Her mother, Donna played by Caitriona Murphy, has great stage presence and puts so much emotion into the songs.
The choreography is great and fills the stage with so much energy. So yes, even sitting in the pouring rain we felt like we were ready to boogie on a gorgeous Greek island.
If you haven’t made Theatre Under the Stars a family tradition yet, you really should. They do so much to support and mentor young artists and it is the perfect medium to introduce your family musical theatre, new and old. Also. It’s Abba. I mean come on!
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