Mamma Mia revival opens on Broadway

A Broadway revival of Mamma Mia! revisits ABBA songs with renewed energy and a sense of lingering memory.

Mamma Mia revival doubles down on nostalgia

Broadway returns to the island of light and song with Mamma Mia! at the Winter Garden Theatre, a six month limited engagement directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The show keeps its familiar setup: Donna runs a sunlit Greek tavern, Sophie plans a wedding and invites three possible fathers to the party. ABBA songs are treated as moments of revelation, not just background, and the recognizable two-piece set and bright choreography maintain the show’s high energy. The cast includes Christine Sherrill as Donna, Carly Sakolove and Jalynn Steele as the Dynamos, and Victor Wallace, Jim Newman and Rob Marnell as the three potential dads. The orchestra aims to replicate ABBA’s sound, though the music can overwhelm some vocal moments, notably Amy Weaver’s performance.

This revival is described as a double layer cake of nostalgia. It not only revives ABBA’s hits but also the era and mood that surrounded them, turning the show into a period piece that still feels fresh in its optimism. The storytelling remains light and playful, with the core romance at its center and the songs acting as connective threads. The production stays faithful to the original vision, preserving the structure, the set pieces and the finale that recalls the era’s arena-rock dreams. While some moments feel busier than in earlier versions, the core pleasure stays intact and the audience is invited to sing along with the wave of familiar tunes.

Nostalgia is the driving force and the stage’s companion in this revival. It uses ABBA’s catalog to anchor a story about love, memory and identity that travels across generations. The show leans into a theatrical form that treats pop songs as emotional milestones, not merely as catchy interludes. This reflects a broader cultural trend where audiences crave comfort and shared experience through familiar sounds.

At the same time, the production raises questions about how long a memory can be stretched before it becomes a fixture of a different era. The increased stage activity and a louder orchestra risk saturating the listening space, but the commitment to the songs and the performers helps keep the experience engaging. As nostalgia becomes a cultural mood, the show tests whether a classic jukebox format can still feel relevant to younger audiences while remaining a celebration for longtime fans.

Highlights

Memory and music meet on stage, and the audience decides if the encore is still worth it.