"Mamma Mia!” The Bushnell
The Bushnell, Hartford, CT
By Suzanne Wells
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, The Bushnell’s production of “Mamma Mia!” is a festive, high-energy musical comedy that balances romantic intrigue with broad humor and lively spectacle, all driven by ABBA’s irresistible songs.
Set on a small Greek island as a wedding approaches, the story follows a daughter whose mischievous attempt to uncover her father’s identity brings three men from her mother’s past back into their lives.
As Sophie Sheridan, Juliette Ojeda opens the production with a melodic rendition of “I Have a Dream” that draws the audience into the show’s sunlit Grecian setting. Jessica Crouch brings emotional force to Donna Sheridan, delivering a stirring performance of “The Winner Takes It All.” Victor Wallace, as Sam Carmichael, conveys the character’s lingering love and regret in “Knowing Me, Knowing You” and in his duet with Crouch, “S.O.S.”
Jalynn Steele is a comic standout as Tanya, pairing strong vocals in “Does Your Mother Know” with impeccable timing and a delightfully larger-than-life performance. Kayla Ryan Walsh (Rosie), Leland Burnett (Bill Austin), and Rob Hancock (Harry Bright) also make the most of the musical’s humor, bringing warmth and well-judged comic timing to their roles.
Choreographer Anthony Van Laast keeps the ensemble numbers in constant motion, filling the stage with buoyant energy and memorable visual comedy. Highlights include the scuba-fin routine in “Lay All Your Love on Me,” the clownish nightmare of “Under Attack,” and the playful battle of the sexes that animates “Does Your Mother Know.”
Production designer Mark Thompson creates a versatile set, using two movable pieces to transform the stage seamlessly from a taverna courtyard to an inn bedroom and, finally, a church, allowing the story to maintain its momentum from scene to scene.
Taken together, the emotionally grounded lead performances, sharply timed comedy, inventive ensemble work, and fluid staging make this “Mamma Mia!” an exuberant celebration of love, friendship, and second chances—one that earns its audience’s enthusiasm rather than merely trading on familiar songs.
