Lauren Mufson is Donna Sheridan

There was definitely no S.O.S. required for the smash ABBA inspired musical Mamma Mia! which opened in Vancouver on September 27th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

When the show premiered in Vancouver in 2003 a one day ticket sales record was established and the current run is no less popular.

An entertaining story line with several twists finds Sophie Sheridan, played by the earthy and talented Bekah Nutt, revealing to her girl-friends that she has invited three past lovers of her mother Donna, played by the evocative Lauren Mufson, to her wedding to discover which one is her father.

When the three 'prospective' fathers appear on the Greek Island for the wedding a hilaraious set of events follow as the truth slowly unfolds.

Wonderful scenes in the musical focus on the utter surprise and horror of Donna, a single mother, who has to deal with her daughters wedding and the emergence of three past lovers, one of whom being the father that Sophie has never met.

The three past lovers are played with great comic effect and singing acumen by Ian Simpson (Harry Bright) , Sam Carmichael (Tony Clements) and Bill Austin (Milo Shandel) who has an engaging Australian accent.

Lauren Mufson as Donna Sheridan is brilliant in the role of the strong minded single -mother and motel owner. Mufson has extensive theatre credits including Kiss of the Spiderwoman and television credits that include Law and Order.

Bekah Nutt is a young and dynamic performer with a solid vocal range. She has toured in the production of South Pacific and performed in other stage classics including Fame and Oklahoma.

The real star of the show however is the music of the sensational international singing group ABBA, which has become a global phenomenon.

Some of the hits performed included : Chiquitta; Dancing Queen; Honey, Honey; I Have a Dream; Mama Mia; S.O.S.; Take A Chance on Me; The Name of the Game.

The sell-out crowd ended the evening by giving the cast a standing ovation, a fitting tribute to a musical performance of exhilerating fun and warm memories for all ABBA fans.

© 2005 Ross Micheal Pink