Mamma Mia! The Musical Based on the Songs of ABBA: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1999 London Cast)

I was so taken by the new versions of those wonderful ABBA songs. I've been playing this CD over and over and over again on my CD players... I listen to it on my stereo, my discman, my car CD player... and the funny thing is, my family loves it as well. We've been fighting over it. In fact, one of my family members brought it to her office today, and I had to resort to playing ABBA Gold.

What sets this recording apart from other cast recordings of musicals is that it really close to capturing the essence and the energy of the live performance. Although at the theatre, the music is played on a much louder soundsystem.

I saw MAMMA MIA! at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre in May, and the cast there was brilliant. The voices are far superior to the ones heard here on the Original London Cast Recording. In fact, the producers of the show have noted that the entire North American Premiere Cast is far superior to both the Original London Cast and the Current London Cast.

I saw the show in London this past July, and was unbelievably disappointed at the production there. The cast was inferior to the Toronto cast, and the audience was dead. This was not the same energetic, amazing show that I saw in Toronto. Audiences at the Royal Alexandra Theatre are blown away by the performance, while London audiences are walking away thinking it's an okay show.

Good thing that the North American Premiere Cast is going on tour in the United States, allowing more people to discover MAMMA MIA! and see it as a wonderful, energetic show. Too bad for London audiences, who are seeing a mediocre production.

So obviously, one of the things that bother me about this particular cast recording is that the voices are not that great, in comparison with the Toronto cast. Siobhan McCarthy, who plays Donna, does not have the powerhouse voice of Toronto's Louise Pitre. Her "Winner Takes It All" isn't sublime like Louise Pitre's, whose version of the song is considered the definitive take on the song, both by ABBA's Benny & Bjorn, and by ABBA fans. In comparison to Louise, her voice is thin and weak, although it sounds sweet.

The male leads aren't that great either, including the three dads, as well as Sky. Lisa Stokke as Sophie was fine, and is probably the strongest singer in the entire recording.

Another thing that bothers me with this cast recording is that it edits out some favourite parts heard live in the show. The Overture has been edited, and doesn't feature the lovely symphonic version of the title song. The song "Honey Honey" is not complete either, missing a couple of verses.

I love this recording, however, and is a great introduction to the show, which is why I'm still giving it 5 stars. It made me fall in love with the show.

But mind you, this cast is not as fantastic as the North American cast. Until a recording with Louise Pitre as Donna is released, then I'll have to settle for this one.

Avoid seeing the show in London with the absolutely boring cast headed by Louise Plowright as Donna (not to be confused with Louise Pitre). You'll be gipped.

The trip to Toronto to see MAMMA MIA! starring Louise Pitre would be more worthwhile.


Whoa Mamma!   August 26, 2001
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

After seeing the Boston premiere of MAMMA MIA last night at the Colonial Theatre, I now have a new favorite show. Who'd of thunk that ABBA could put their songs together in a COHEARENT musical that actually had a plot?! MAMMA MIA was fantastic. The 6 leads were fantastic, and this CD captures the essence of the show (although there are different performers). All of the songs fit beautifully into the show, and there are show stopping renditions of Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Winner Takes it All, S.O.S. and Voulez-Vous. These new orchestrations really enhance the music, and I think that there is a new icon of musical theatre. Look out Broadway, a monster hit is on its way. If you have a chance (even if you don't love ABBA or aren't familiar with them...I'm 18 and ABBA was before my time) go see MAMMA MIA (or at least buy this CD) and I promise you wont be disapointed in this feel-good musical. To Benny and Bjorn...THANKS FOR THE MUSICAL!!


MAMMA MIA! -CD REVIEW   February 7, 2000
 12 out of 14 found this review helpful

IF YOU'RE AN ABBA FAN, MAMMA MIA IS A MUST! THE RECENT LONDON STAGE HIT CONSISTS OF SONGS COMPOSED BY THE GROUP ABBA. FAMILIAR FAVORITES AND SOME NOT SOME NOT SO WELL KNOW, BUT, EQUALLY LIKEABLE.

THE SHOW INCORPORATES THE SONGS WITH A STORY ABOUT A YOUNG GIRL ABOUT TO BE MARRIED, BUT WITH ONE WISH TO HAVE HER FATHER GIVE HER AWAY. THE CATCH, SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHO HER FATHER IS, ONLY THAT 3 MEN FROM HER MOTHER'S PAST, MUST BE ONE OF THEM......

NOT IN THE STATES YET, BUT, OPENS IN TORONTO, CANADA IN MAY....


It felt like I was at an ABBA concert!   December 27, 2000
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

As a Christmas treat, we went to see "Mamma Mia!" in San Francisco. And what a treat it was! The entire audience was really into the musical, and hardly anyone was sitting by the end of the third encore. So I got this CD, but the performances on this CD by the London cast pales in comparison with the live show. Still, it's a very good memento of one of the best musicals I've seen, and I've seen my fair share. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a re-release of the soundtrack with the Toronto cast, which performed at the Orpheum. And if they include "Waterloo", which was the third encore, I'll be in heaven! ("Mamma mia!" and "Dancing Queen" were the other two). So head on down to the Bay Area and see this show! If you can't, then this CD will some consolation.