Back when my husband, Bobby, and I lived in Hillsboro, Ohio, we got tickets to see the stage production of Mamma Mia, a musical production based on the songs of ABBA, in Columbus at the State Theater. Co-workers of mine had told me how great the show was, but at that time I didn’t know any ABBA songs. I went because, well, who turns down seeing a Broadway Show?
Let me tell you, I loved the show. It was not too long after the curtain rose that I was caught up in the music and the story. The cast did a fantastic job and the audience really got into it as well. I found myself clapping and smiling and sometimes crying during the performance. After we saw the show, we got the ABBA Gold album and we listened to it a lot.
Fast forward 10 or so years and we see they are making Mamma Mia into a movie! I thought there was no way it could be any good. I had never had the impression that either Meryl Streep or Pierce Bronsan could sing. However, I put aside my skepticism and decided to see the movie. And, well, I loved it! As with the Broadway show I got caught up with story. Only this time I could grow to love the characters even more because I now had access to watch the movie over and over and over. Which I have done, thanks to the miracle of our DVR.
Sometimes I turn it on to watch just to pass the time. And then a few months ago I sat in a movie theater watching previews and lo and behold I see a preview for “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.” They were doing a sequel to the first movie! I was so excited, but a little disappointed that I had to wait until July.
The one thing about time is that passes by, one second at a time, consistently. So finally, like clockwork, we are in July! Bobby asked me to take Friday, July 20 off from work. He didn’t have any specific plans, but just wanted to be together. Turns out it was the opening day for the movie! Talk about a great coincidence.
To get me ready for the movie, I watched Mamma Mia on Thursday night. Friday morning, we had some errands to run but got them done in time to see the first showing at the Regal Cinemas 16 in Medina, Ohio. I was so excited. Seeing a sequel for me is like a chance to catch up on the lives of long lost friends. I was looking forward to seeing what was happening with Donna, Sophie, Sky, Sam, Harry, Bill, Rosie and Tanya.
Let me tell you, the movie surpassed my expectations. I figured I would have fun listening to the music. I had heard that there were flashbacks that showed how Donna and the men met. I was looking forward to seeing those back stories. What I didn’t expect is how moved I would be by the story.
I found myself tearing up several times throughout the show. I had chalked it up to being 50 and maybe being on the verge of menopause. However, I heard others in the theater sniffing, so I wasn’t alone.
I don’t want to give away the plot, but it was different than I had expected. While you know it is going to be alright and end happily (because I typically don’t see any other kind of movie), I was sort of wondering how it would all work out. Bobby summed up the theme of the movie. “It was about how important family and friends are in life.”
If you go see the movie, you’ll want to stay for the song at the end. It’ll give you a chance to see everyone in the show all together. Think of it as the curtain call. You can tell that they had a good time making the movie — or they are just good actors. Anyhow enjoy the show. I really did. And anyone who has read my blog, even a little bit, will know that I think the second viewing of a film is better than the first. So I can hardly wait!
