Mamma Mia Las Vegas!
November 26, 2008 by Vegas Baby
Filed under Mandalay Bay, Ongoing Shows
Sophie, an average twenty-year old bride to be, sits under the moon and sings of her dream. Next to the crystal blue Mediterranean, her wedding day anxieties, life’s ideals, along with her desire to discover who her real father is are belted across the showroom in powerful song. When her two friends stumble into the scene, drunk with pre-marital madness, it becomes obvious- this show is no circus act; here’s a story to which everyone can relate.
Mandalay Bay is the proud home of the longest running and most successful full-scale Broadway musical ever to play on the Las Vegas Strip…Mamma Mia! With a total of 11 global productions, the show has managed to attract over 27 million people worldwide. And with good reason- the content of the show holds something special. It’s adventures into real-world family issues and life’s less than perfect idiosyncrasies, for audience members just, well, hits home.
If you love the music of ABBA, you might find it hard to remain in your seat and refrain from jumping up and singing along with the actors on stage, but what could be better than being able to sing and dance to your favorite music, a live orchestra and some lighting special effects?
No wedding mayhem is complete without some off the wall aunties. Donna, the mother of the bride and hard-working-who-needs-a-man sole owner of a resort in Greece, is reunited with her two best friends. Although complete opposites (one a high rolling jetsetter and the other probably only jetsetting the grocery store), both waste no time making light of Donna’s wayward past with men resulting in Sophie’s mystery father. While these may normally be solemn circumstances during a wedding, all it takes for these seasoned party animals to lighten the mood are some old camaraderie singing routines- one in particular, singing into a blow dryer and snorkle mask Abba’s renowned “Dancing Queen.”
Ah yes, Abba! The very backbone of Mamma Mia for both the music and story line. Abba’s feel-good, timeless pop songs perfectly compliment the relationship trials of two generations of women and all the chaos real life likes to toss around. Abba songs, music and lyrics by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus make the trip through life a little easier, and a lot more fun.
And this is exactly how these very multi-dimensional, very realistic characters carry on; taking everyday issues and illuminating them with beautiful, energetic song and outrageous, fun filled dance. Yes, everyone has confusion, pain, and skeletons in the closet, but Mamma Mia knows that’s no 
reason to hold up the party. This show clearly states that the search for identity and a picture perfect life must never over shadow what is truly important: the joy of the moment. Ideals aren’t so far away after all.
Abba’s songs reach another level of enjoyment through this fun-filled show, and don’t worry about not really being able to cut loose to the music during the show. Just wait, you will have your chance after curtain call when all of the performers take the stage for one last hooray where they encourage everyone in the audience to get up, sing along and tap into their inner “Dancing Queen.”
Show Dates:
Fridays through Jan 4, 2009
Nov 30, 2008
Dec 24, 2008
Jan 1, 2009
janeosok on Wed, 26th Nov 2008 5:30 pm
This is my third time seeing Mamma Mia!, the other two being in Toronto and San Francisco. Taking advantage of their summer specials, the Big F and I went to check it out a couple of weeks ago.
Since I was already familiar with the music and script, I was really looking forward to the stage set-up. I figure with it being a Vegas show, they would have really gone all out on the stage. I was wrong. It was very basic, and reminded me of a high school stage. I thought the props would be more artistic beyond what they did. Perhaps my expectations were too high, and that’s why they fall short.
Sure, I enjoy the story, music, and entertainment of it all…it’s just the Las Vegas production left me disappointed.
It’s definitely a two hour plus show, which I think is a good thing. (I hate when productions are cut short ‘cuz I feel jipped!) It’s definitely not worth the price though!
The theater is actually smaller than I thought and the nose bleeder seats are really not that far back.
And if you have to use the restrooms during the intermission, leave the theater! They’ll let you back in as long as you have your ticket and you won’t be standing in that ridiculous line. This applies to the men as well.
Word is, it’s their last summer in Vegas anyway. Just as well with the movie coming out soon!
Terry on Wed, 26th Nov 2008 5:31 pm
I liked this much better than I expected that I would. I am not really an ABBA fan so I never had much interest in seeing this. But, free tickets tend to spark interest in me so we decided to go. It was a bit corny and the plot was fairly weak, but the production looked nice and the songs were pretty good. I was interested in seeing how they used the songs. I thought the three main actresses were very good, particularly the two “friends” of the main star because they had all the best comedic parts.
The seats were comfortable and we had plenty of cocktails. The bathroom lines at intermission were very long and the drink lines took a while but we still were able to accomplish both. I don’t know if I would see it again, and I am not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if the tickets were not free, but it was a pretty fun show.
wendy on Wed, 26th Nov 2008 5:31 pm
While sitting at the slot machine with my fiance, a young couple came up to me and asked if we’d like free tickets to see Mamma Mia. Huh, is this one of those timeshare thing or some kind of scam? She could sense the hesitation on my face and explained to us that her mother was a high roller and got some free tickets to see the show. They had 2 extra ones and thought they would give them away. She said Allen and I looked like a nice couple so she picked us! Wow, maybe I didn’t hit the jackpot or won at the slots, but I got lucky with those tickets! Front center row seats (5th row) at $110 per ticket.
I love ABBA’s music. After all, I grew up with it (Oh shut up, I know I am old!). But I never thought I’d go see Mamma Mia or enjoy the show. I couldn’t be more wrong! I LOVED IT!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the free tickets!! The acting was a little too forced and the story line predictable. Nevertheless, the singing, dancing, and performance were fantastic! At the end I was actually moved to tears!
There was no acrobat or magic tricks, but definitely an entertaining Broadway show worth seeing.
maleabbafan on Wed, 26th Nov 2008 5:31 pm
WARNING: This is a cheesy review from the greatest ABBA fan in the world. The greatest straight male ABBA fan in the world.
This show inspires me when I’m “Under Attack”. 2 shows a night for the cast, so they’re “Super Troupers”. The show is pricey, it’ll cost a lot of “Money, Money, Money”. But it’s a fun show, great story, great acting, and you’ll say, “Thank You for the Music”. If you see me at Mandalay Bay, “Take a Chance on Me” and come along on a date with me to watch “Mamma Mia”.
So to all my little “Honey Honey”’s, “I Have a Dream” that this show will stay at Mandalay Bay for a long time because if not, “One of Us” will be very sad. But if you want to see a cute story about a mother and a daughter, “The Name of the Game” is to watch “Mamma Mia”. It’s fun, alive, hysterical. You won’t lose with this show, like Napoleon at “Waterloo”. You’ll sing along, you’ll be a “Dancing Queen”.
There are many shows in Las Vegas and on Broadway, but this one is “The Winner Takes it All”. “Does You Mother Know” any ABBA songs, do you know any ABBA songs? After watching this show, you’ll say “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” at your local store to buy ABBA CD’s. “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, I own them all.
gracie k on Wed, 26th Nov 2008 5:32 pm
Something is wrong with me.
Now, I know I am not the most “normal” person I know but something is really wrong with me.
I love Abba. LOVE LOVE ABBA. I sang all of Abba’s songs as a child, and have never turned my back on them, even after they disbanded. My first tape was an ABBA tape. My first record was an ABBA record. LOVE them, so I will say – that is prerequisite #1 to truly enjoy Mamma Mia.
But that is not what’s wrong with me.
I have now watched THIS show, the Vegas Mamma Mia show, a total of FIVE TIMES. I kid you not – five freakin’ times. And…. (hiding head in shame) I loved it all five times! The last two times, at least I did not start tearing at the end of the show (I’m telling you, I am NOT normal!) but I was still gleeful and on a high when the show ended. Furthermore – I even watched the SF Mamma Mia. Once, though.
Folks, this is not a show where you come out with your life changed, and there is no deep meaning. It is almost silly – very light, but FUN FUN FUN, and just an enjoyable time. The cast is extremely talented, and some of them are truly amazing singers with outstanding voices.
I’ve sat as close as 3 rows back from the orchestra, and all the way back to the second floor seatings, and while the view was that much better in row 3 – - I found the acoustics to be better further back.
Given the fact I have watched it so many times, I will say that the mood of the whole show is largely determined by the audience – - I have been there on some nights when it was like every single ABBA whore was there that night (like me, or even worse) and we all go apeshit at the end, dancing to no end, many women sobbing through smiles, and everyone singing like CRAZY. And 1 or 2 shows were more subdued with an older, more mannered crowd, but I think that applies to any musical.
If you are looking for a FUN time with a talented cast, and great music, good laughs and just good humor – - try out Mamma Mia at the Mandalay Bay. In spite of the mediocre ratings some people have given this show – - I think they just expected the wrong thing. Yeah, the SF show was good – but this is a Vegas show. It’s more about having a great time than doing a serious production, British-style. It’s a great twist, in my opinion, to the original.
That said – I am due to go to the SF Mamma Mia (which is comin’ back in September 07) and still have to go to the Vegas one ONCE MORE… but that’s it. NO MORE MAMMA MIA FOR ME after that.
Even I have to draw the line at 8 times of watching one show, hahahahah…………… unless, of course, I go to Broadway. Then, all bets are off!
jonny on Wed, 26th Nov 2008 5:32 pm
I don’t understand why this show would get such low reviews from others, but this is my favorite vegas show of all! I think this show is more suitable for the younger crowds, thats why maybe some people didn’t like it. It is true that you must get a closer seat to enjoy this show to the fullest. I sat in the private lounge area right above the bottom row of seats after the intermission, for the first half of the show I sat in a front row seat of the back section. I just asked one of the show security guys if I could sit in that section because it was empty and he just let me and my party sit there! =) That’s a tip for you fellow yelpers.
Well about the show, it was very entertaining. The show is very funny and the singing is just great. The story is one of a kind! The only bad thing I would say is that the main character (the not so little, girl) wasn’t the prettiest thing to look at.
I ain’t a fan of ABBA’s music but I was after the show was over.
Ronald on Wed, 26th Nov 2008 5:36 pm
Meh…I really dig ABBA’s records, I’m a big music fan, and I think my first crush was Agnetha Falskog when I was like 8….I think that actually reduced my enjoyment of the show, ironically. I was taken aback by all the dialogue! Boy, somebody really worked on that…a little too hard.
I think I was expecting something different, maybe a bunch of production numbers of Abba songs, or a “popera” where any story was contained in the lyrics. But it was a Broadway musical, alright, albeit one that added an unrelated libretto to a body of music that really does stand on its own.
Alright, I know, I’m over thinking it, and to be fair, the cast was a hoot, particularly the three female leads, who dress up in “futuristic disco” ABBA type clothes and do a couple numbers…they were funny and charming. The best part was the big finale when they just…played the songs. The band was tighter than a gnat’s ass, that I will say.
I think that this show would be most enjoyed by women of a certain age…and I think it was obvious that it is aimed squarely at that demographic. So, if you are someone who thinks that Benny and Bjorn were musical geniuses, put on the records. If you got laid to “Waterloo” after your prom in 1977, this is your show.