By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
If there is a winner that takes it all this year, it has to be the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!”
Full of the flair that comes from ABBA’s music, the cast does an outstanding job, making the audience dance and sing in their seats.
“That’s what we wanted,” said Eric Beuker, who plays Harry Bright, after the Feb. 28 performance. “We wanted people to have a party, to have fun.”
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents “Mamma Mia!” through March 17. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday with two new shows added for 7 p.m. March 10 and 17. Call 222-6020.
After being ‘super troupers’ over this crazy winner, Fun is what a lot of people seeking causing them to literally flock to the show. The ‘gimme, gimme, gimme’ response has caused Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to announce two additional shows, Sunday, March 10 and 17 at 7 p.m. I would grab the tickets quick because Maura Lamoreaux, who plays Tanya, told us that even the Wednesday shows are filling up.
Let’s be honest, it’s hard not to have fun when it comes to an ABBA song. The Swedish pop group’s lyrics and beat make you want to grab the nearest hairbrush and start singing. For us, we were in the balcony, where the party was certainly happening from people clapping to the beat to those dressed in ABBA garb.
But the cast is what makes the show such a success. You can see they are having fun from the moment that Breighanna Minnema (Sophie) opens with “I Have a Dream” to the cast jiven to the last number, “Waterloo.” (Oh yes, Bob Wells, who plays Bill, we along with the people next to us, noticed you grooving away in your red body suit as the curtain was coming down.)
The two having the most fun on stage appeared to be Lamoreaux as Tanya and Sarah LaCroix as Roise. Each had their own shining moment, Lamoreaux with “Does Your Mother Know” and LaCroix with Wells on “Take a Chance on Me,” which about brought down the house in laughs. (There was a lot of high fiving among the ladies in the balcony.) Heather Cregg (Donna) gave a powerful rendition of “Winner Takes It All” and Minnema with Cullen Dyk (Sky) along with the ensemble presented a playful version of “Lay All Your Love On Me.”
Thanks to the sewing genius of Bob Fowle the costumes were sparkly authentic right now to the ABBA-style body suits. The set was simple but yet pulled you right into the Greek island where the story unfolds.
In the end, we just wanted to ‘thank you for the music’ to Director Bruce Tinker and the cast for providing a great night of entertainment.
So if the name of your game now is to snag some tickets, the best way is through Grand Rapids Civic Theatre at www.grct.org or by calling 616-222-6020.
