The feel good musical “MAMMA MIA!” will be returning to Wharton Center for the fourth time in 10 years Nov. 15-17, bringing high-energy dancing, comedic moments and timeless music.
Set on a Greek island, “MAMMA MIA!” tells the story of Sophie, a 20-year-old bride-to-be whose dream is to have her father walk her down the aisle. Unsure of who her father is, Sophie reads her mother’s journal and secretly invites three of her mother’s past flings to the island for a crazy and humorous reunion, all in search of her real father.
The musical features tunes from the ’70s and ’80s by Swedish pop group ABBA, which actress Chelsea Williams said sets the tone and mood for the entire production.
“You think you don’t know the words to an ABBA song, but I promise, you do,” Williams said. “Everyone manages to be singing along at one point or another.”
The play features several of ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All.”
Williams said she traveled back and forth from her home in Boston to New York and stood in the freezing cold with several others to audition for the play in January.
“I went to the audition not expecting to hear anything back, and when I did, I was extremely surprised,” Williams said.
Although Williams had never seen “MAMMA MIA!” live, she said she easily was able to become Sophie because it is a character she can relate to.
“Sophie is a 20-year-old girl who just wants something really bad, and I think that’s something easy for me at this point in my life to relate to,” Williams said.
Among the cast, Williams said a bond has formed that creates a chemistry and liveliness on stage.
“There’s a really good camaraderie, so everyone in the cast just bonded right away, and that has definitely helped us create a cool world on stage,” Williams said. “I don’t think there’s any show that’s as fun to see and be a part of. It’s like a wild party the whole time.”
Wharton Center public relations manager Bob Hoffman said “MAMMA MIA!” is one of the venue’s most popular shows.
“We are super excited about ‘MAMMA MIA!’ coming back to Wharton Center,” Hoffman said. “This show is full of exciting ABBA music — music you want to dance too, and people do. It’s also a great story and just a lot of fun.”
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