Mama Mia....What a Night!!

Last night we had the time of our lives. I have been to many of the big musicals in my life. Mostly in Chicago and two in New York. We have been season subscribers at the Coronado Theater in Rockford. Last night I saw a performance like no other. The best of them all. Months ago I wrote on my blog that we had been to the theater and were told that they were extending the Mama Mia show from one night to three. You had to go to their website by 10 the next morning. I was on the site before it opened. I got front row seats right smack dab in the middle. We usually don't have these seats and I wondered if they would be too close.( No problem) It was fun before the performance, to see what was going on in the orchestra pit. Musicians were arriving with shorts on (no one would see them) and setting up. Not a big orchestra, but what music came out of these few people.

Here is the inside of the Coronado. We were right in the middle front row. You can see the orchestra pit in the picture.

The theater was restored years ago and it is gorgeous. No matter how many times you have been there, you look up in awe....thinking about how much work it must have been and what a wonderful job they did.

I have always loved the music of Abba. It was very interesting to me how they could take a body of work from this group and make a story out of it. Each song was perfect in it's place.
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle we'll never forget!
Over 40 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! I've been to Greece and have enjoyed evenings in their little "tavernas" so I was taken back there by this show. The scenery was very realistic looking. I could imagine sitting there and looking out to the beautiful blue water or maybe the Acropolis in the distance. I enjoyed the music in these tavernas...and the Greek dancing. I didn't see couples dancing only the men. Remember Zorba? They believe that God invented dancing and most all of the men get up and dance when out for an evening. Joe and I don't travel...it's too difficult for us, now, but last night we traveled to a place where we had the time of our lives. At the final curtain the cast was still singing and dancing. The audience was on their feet clapping, whistling, screaming, swaying, singing having the time of their lives.

You can dance, you can jive

Having the time of your life

Ooh see that girl, watch that scene

Dig in the dancing queen

Balisha

Now, I'm not selling tickets or anything, but looked for their tour dates and this company is going to be in these cities this year. If you get a chance...go and have fun.

Charlotte, NC28 July - 2 August 2009
West Palm Beach, FL4 - 9 August 2009
Clearwater, FL11 - 16 August 2009
Dallas, TX18 - 30 August 2009
Kansas City, MO8 – 13 September 2009
Sioux Falls, SD22 - 24 September 2009
San Antonio, TX29 Sept – 4 Oct 2009
West Lafayette, IN21 - 22 October 2009
Cleveland, OH10 - 15 November 2009
Scranton, PA23 - 25 April 2010