Dancing Queens, Redux

The fluffy songs of Swedish ’70s sensations ABBA are all about giving it up and feeling good; even the pleasantly good-looking, disco-dressed singers themselves — Frida, Benny, Björn and Agnetha — gave off a placidly sweet aura that just plain made their millions of fans feel happy. The Broadway musical...

By Susan Froyd

November 4, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The fluffy songs of Swedish ’70s sensations ABBA are all about giving it up and feeling good; even the pleasantly good-looking, disco-dressed singers themselves — Frida, Benny, Björn and Agnetha — gave off a placidly sweet aura that just plain made their millions of fans feel happy. The Broadway musical Mamma Mia! intends to bring back that feeling to modern audiences and, borne aloft by hit after ABBA hit, succeeds. It’s kind of an excuse to string those songs together with a plot, but who cares? With a cast of characters from two generations, the story about a young couple being wed and the reuniting of middle-aged best friends and lovers bridges the generation gap on that barrage of snappy melodies. Plus, like a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta of old, everyone finds somebody to be with by the end of this musical lite. Bravo!

Mamma Mia! returns tonight to the Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, for a carefree rerun through Sunday; single tickets start at $25. Go to www.denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100.
Nov. 2-6, 8 p.m.; Nov. 6-7, 2 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., 2010

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

Follow:

Facebook: sosfrojd

Twitter: @sosfrojd