“mamma mia: on broadway”
IN THIS SCENE..
We welcome you to a new chapter of k’s curtain call! Please give a round of applause for volume 2: “shining anew.” After being away for two months, we return with a brighter spotlight and renewed energy. In this volume, we bring heartfelt tributes where k connects musicals with special people and moments in life. It’s a new perspective, a new stage, and a new way of celebrating the magic of theatre. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Mamma mia
k’s curtain call: vol. 2 “shinning anew”
A tribute to… my mother “djb” also known as DONNA.
My mother, Donna—the Donna in my life—is a living example of the strength and independence embodied by Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia. While she may not have a stage-worthy singing voice, a villa in Greece, or a tangled love story, she has something even more powerful: the charisma, resilience, and spirit that make her unforgettable. With grace, she juggles motherhood, friendships, and life’s curveballs—always with that unmistakable spark that reminds me of the iconic Donna we all adore.
“More than a mamma.”
Mamma Mia is a musical that beautifully portrays the strength and courage it takes to be a mother—the challenges and sacrifices that come with raising a daughter. It’s a story filled with love, unexpected twists, and the mystery of a long-lost lover. With its high energy, heartfelt comedy, and romance, the musical brings emotion to life on stage through the iconic songs of ABBA.
As we dive into this musical, let’s see where the wind—and the music—takes us.
*people within the productions are as follows*
Broadway Full Cast:
Donna Sheridan: Louise Pitre
Rosie: Judy Kaye
Tanya: Karen Mason
Sam Carmichael: David W. Keeley
Sophie Sheridan: Tina Maddigan
Sky: Joe Machota
Bill Austin: Ken Marks
Harry Bright: Dean Nolen
Lisa: Tonya Doran
Ali: Sara Inbar
Pepper: Mark Price
Eddie: Michael Benjamin Washington
Production Team:
Producers: Judy Carymer, Richard East, and Bespoke Theatricals
Music and Lyrics: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Book: Catherine Johnson
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Choreographer: Anthony Van Laast
Designer: Mark Thompson, Howard Harrison, Andrew Bruce, Bobby Atiken, and Paul Huntley
Musical Supervisor: Martin Koch
Creative Team: Martha Banta, Janet Rothermel, David Holcenberg, Jonathan Allen, Brian Webb, Lucy Giager, Ed McCarthy, David Patridge, and Jeff Knaggs
*The songs played are as listed*
Song List:
Honey, Honey
Money, Money, Money
Mamma Mia
Chiquitita
Dancing Queen
Our Last Summer
Lay All Your Love On Me
Super Trouper
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
The Name Of The Game
Voulez-Vous
SOS
Does Your Mother Know
Slipping Through My Fingers
The Winner Takes It All
When All Is Said And Done
Take A Chance On Me
I Have A Dream
Thank You For The Music
introduction.
Mamma Mia made its grand debut on October 18, 2001, at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. It was a night filled with nostalgic music and waves of blue that washed over the stage. A beautifully written story came to life with vibrant energy, earning love and laughter from the audience.
As I reflect on the show, I want to share a quick disclaimer: I watched my version of Mamma Mia! in Jakarta. Some scenes—especially the comedic ones—were rewritten to reflect Indonesian humor and local trends, helping the story connect with the audience here. So if certain moments I mention feel unfamiliar, that might be why!
As the curtains rise and the stage lights fill the room, we are introduced to Sophie Sheridan and her two best friends. Sophie shares her excitement about her upcoming wedding, letting the audience in on her big day. She holds a notebook—her mother Donna Sheridan’s old diary—filled with stories of Donna’s past. Through this diary, Sophie uncovers clues about who her real father might be and secretly invites all three potential dads to the wedding.
This opening scene is essential in setting the stage for the rest of the musical. It helps the audience quickly grasp the central conflict, while also creating a playful and curious tone. The song “Honey, Honey” follows, performed with giddy energy—almost like reading a juicy secret out loud. It's full of laughter, squeals, and excitement, perfectly capturing the mood.
staging and set design.
*stage sketch and photo sample*
The stage design of Mamma Mia! beautifully captures the essence of Greece, with dominant shades of blue and white filling the background and reflected in the characters’ costumes. In my opinion, these colors hold power because they mirror the natural setting of Greece—the blue evokes the surrounding sea and sky, while the white reflects the simplicity and brightness of island life. Adding contrast, vibrant hot pink flowers bloom across the stage, symbolizing the spark and tension of love that drives the story. Their brightness reflects the blossoming of relationships and passion, reminding the audience that love is one of the central themes of this production.
Actors and dancers fully embrace the space to express emotions and highlight key moments, turning movement into storytelling. The set itself plays an important role, with intricate features like the beautifully crafted doors that serve more than just a practical purpose. These doors allow seamless entrances and exits, but they also become part of the choreography. At times, dancers incorporate them into routines, weaving in and out, which minimizes empty space and transforms the stage into a dynamic, living environment. This clever use of design makes even the smallest movements feel bigger, creating a sense of energy and spectacle that pulls the audience deeper into the performance.
lighting design.
*scene sample*
An important scene that relies heavily on lighting is during the song “Lay All Your Love on Me.” This moment captures not only the playful energy between the two lovers but also the underlying intensity of their attraction. The lighting design plays a crucial role in shaping that mood—sharp flashes and rhythmic on-and-off effects mirror the teasing, almost game-like quality of the choreography, while also building tension with every beat. The audience is drawn into the rhythm, feeling the push and pull of passion alongside the characters. The way the lights synchronize with the performers’ movements adds layers of meaning, suggesting both the excitement of young love and the vulnerability that comes with desire. By blending music, movement, and lighting, this scene creates an immersive experience that plants a lasting image of romance, lust, and the emotional stakes of their relationship.
closing.
Mamma Mia! is more than a jukebox musical—it’s a celebration of love, family, and the resilience of women who carry stories within them. From the vibrant staging inspired by the Greek isles, to the choreography that turns doors and spaces into living art, and the lighting that brings intimacy and playfulness to life, every detail of this production weaves together to create something unforgettable.
For me, this musical isn’t just about Sophie, Donna, or ABBA’s timeless songs—it’s about the Donnas in our own lives. The women who stand tall, who nurture, who laugh through chaos, and who show us what it means to love deeply. My own mother, “DJB,” has always been that Donna for me—reminding me that strength can be graceful, resilience can be joyful, and that even in life’s storms, music and love will always guide us forward.
As the curtain falls on this volume of K’s Curtain Call, I hope this tribute reminds us that musicals don’t just live on stage; they echo in our lives, in the people we cherish, and in the moments where we find ourselves humming along. And like Mamma Mia itself, may we all find reasons to laugh, dance, and take a chance on love—again and again.
I hope the readers are able to enjoy reading my blog post as much as I was able to enjoy making it.
And with that, the curtains fall. Until the next act -k’s curtain call.
-end of journal-
resources.
Esponda, Fercho. “Mamma Mia!” Pinterest, 30 June 2025, id.pinterest.com/pin/137289488956797470/. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
Mihalko, Bill. “Mamma Mia!” Pinterest, 19 Oct. 2024, id.pinterest.com/pin/787004103666999001/. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
Nursesarah75. “Photos: Mamma Mia! New Cast 2014 | West End Theatre.” Pinterest, 26 June 2014, id.pinterest.com/pin/898960775607507465/. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
additional resources.
spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/album/6QtnCAFmqOwR75jOOmU7k9?si=AW153ANQSl--FcGvnbqo9g
