This post is brought to you in partnership with Broadway in Portland. I received complimentary tickets to facilitate my post. Opinions are my own.
Sometimes the theater is a classroom. A worldview changer. And some shows invite you to wrestle with life’s big questions. And sometimes…well, sometimes theater invites you to throw on your platform boots, forget the world’s troubles for a few hours and let yourself have some FUN. Last night the smash hit musical Mamma Mia! opened in Portland – and the audience was most definitely having the time of their life.
The older I get, the more I am beginning to understand and appreciate that there are two kinds of art: Art that helps us understand life. And art that helps us ENJOY life. (And both are equally important.) While yes, beneath the catchy ABBA soundtrack and the setting that has all of us looking up Greek tavernas on Airbnb, Mamma Mia! explores the themes of identity, friendship, and family, I believe the show’s highest purpose is something much simpler: to remind us that it’s ok to laugh, dance, and be happy. And ultimately allowing yourself to sing “Dancing Queen” with 1000 strangers may be just as important as coming away from the theater with a profound new insight. As a society that is more stressed out than ever before, we’ve forgotten the importance of delight, celebration for celebration’s sake, and the beauty of shared experiences.
We’ve underestimated the value of fun. Joy isn’t frivolous. It’s fuel. And an evening spent at the theater bopping your head to familiar songs while you escape into a beloved story for a few hours is likely the very reset many people need right now.
Juliette M. Ojeda as Sophie was the very picture of both innocence and unbridled optimism. And Jessica Crouch as Donna perfectly captured all of the complexity of navigating motherhood while simultaneously figuring out her next steps. Amidst the sequins and Swedish pop, these two actors (along with the entire cast!) delivered emotionally powerful and believable performances, bringing natural heart, warmth, and sincerity to the stage.
And this cast? Incredibly talented. A show built around fun and joy only works when the cast fully commits – and this cast brought the JOY. They leaned into the show’s playful and over-the-top energy, delighting the crowd with their natural humor and innate likability. EVERY SINGLE principal actor was perfectly cast and an absolute delight to watch. (Thank you for the joy!!)
I have a very special place in my heart for ensemble players – and the ensemble of Mamma Mia! did NOT disappoint. Delivering some of my absolute favorite musical numbers of the night, the ensemble players are infinitely more than “background” actors. These actors radiated joy – adding humor and charm to each scene. Their love of acting was abundantly clear in each and every moment they were on the stage. (Thank you for your performances. I know you love what you do!)
Mamma Mia! will be in Portland at the Keller Auditorium through June 7th. While tickets are limited, you still have a chance to see this incredible show. Any remaining tickets can be found HERE.
If you can’t make it to Mamma Mia!, next up at the Keller Auditorium is Back to the Future The Musical! (Great Scott!) Marty, Doc, and the rest of the cast of Back to the Future The Musical will be at the Keller June 16th -21st. You can purchase tickets for Back to the Future The Musical HERE.
And don’t miss out on the FABULOUS upcoming 2026/2027 Season from Broadway in Portland! Get ready Portland – it’s going to be an incredible year at the theater! This year’s lineup includes some fantastic new shows coming off Broadway and a few long-time favorites (that I can’t wait to see again!) To learn more about the upcoming season, visit: https://portland.broadway.com/subscriptions/. See you at the theater!
