ENTERTAINMENT
SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER
ABBA-inspired 'Mamma Mia' appears in Scranton
ABBA-inspired show appears through Sunday
By Debra Brubaker

For The Daily Item
October 26, 2006
SCRANTON — Mamma Mia, here we go again, my my, how can you resist it?
Since opening in London in 1999, more than 27 million people around the world haven't been able to resist the hit show "Mamma Mia!," appearing at the Scranton Cultural Center through Sunday.
Cast member Laurie Wells, a native Californian who has been residing in New York City for the past 10 years, took time out of her touring schedule to talk about the musical written around existing songs from the group ABBA, popular in the 1970s.
Ms. Wells began acting when she was seven years old and attending school in Orange County, Calif.

"I participated in community theaters, choirs and school shows," she said. "When I was 16, I moved to Nashville to work at the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland, USA, then worked on cruise ships, and finally ended up in New York when I was 20."
Ms. Wells plays Donna Sheridan, a single mother raising her daughter on a Greek Island.
"It's the eve of my daughter's wedding and unbeknownst to me, she has read my diary, figured out the names of three men who could possibly be her father, and has invited them to her wedding. So, the day before her wedding, these three possible fathers, who I haven't seen in 20 years, show up; and that's how the story unfolds."

Ms. Wells, who's having the time of her life performing in "Mamma Mia!," explained the show is a musical comedy with an intense thing going on to make the comedy funnier.
"I get to do great dramatic stuff; then I get to laugh, jump on a bed, and sing 'Dancing Queen.' "
While she was familiar with ABBA music before joining the "Mamma Mia!" tour, Ms. Wells has since fallen in love with all their music.
"I must say my favorite song has become 'Slipping through My Fingers,' " she admitted.

"I love the lyrics and sentiment of it — when you see the show, you'll see that it is such a beautiful, heartbreaking song."
But there is more than one song that makes "Mamma Mia!" a smash hit, she said.
"It feels unbelievable to be part of this show. No matter where we are I love the show and the audience loves the show. The band and music are unbelievable. It's like an amazing rock concert with a very funny heartfelt story. You have your grounded intense love story going on; your mother/daughter story going on; there's just really something for everybody."

Ms. Wells also credits the cast of approximately 35 for the show's continued success.
"We've got some amazing actors and singers," she said. "People will love the costumes — the show really takes you back to the 1970s."
Cautioning people not to leave the show early, Ms. Wells hinted there's a surprise ending.
"You're going to have so much fun," she added. "Come see a rock concert that's a musical comedy and don't leave your dancing shoes at home."