The Lake Superior Theatre opens its 2025 season with the beloved and wildly popular musical, “Mama Mia.” Under the leadership team of director/choreographer Eliisa Gladwell, with additional choreography by Maureen McFadden, music direction by Caitlin Palomaki this challenging song and dance show looks and sounds smooth and easy. Add in some colorful and character defining costumes designed by Emmye Wiig, the combination makes for the “Mama Mia” summer experience we all want and love.

The show opens with exposition explaining that there will be an upcoming wedding of young Sophie happening on a Greek Island where Sophie was raised by her single mom, Donna. Donna is unaware that Sophie has read her diary and contacted three of her former suitors, Sam, Harry and Bill to attend her wedding under the guise that Donna has invited them back to the Island. Sophie is working to unlock the mystery of her birth story while musical unfolds with a myriad of ABBA songs that contribute to the story line and remind us how much fun it was to sing and dance to ABBA (for those of a certain age, ahem…me). Audiences will enjoy “Honey, Honey,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “SOS” to name just a few.

The mother daughter duo of Donna and Sophie both were excellent. Donna, played with a sincere and power house performance by Taylor Busch-Anderson and Sophie is beautifully performed by Kate Myers. Myers, a newcomer to the LST stage has a charming innocence, a wonderful singing voice and altogether avoids cliché. Together these two talented ladies navigate understanding the dynamics of growing up, letting go and accepting change. Whether working together or independently on the stage, this Donna and Sophie combo is simply perfect. A highlight of their skills being their Act Two duet prior to the wedding which is quite touching. Also of mention is Busch-Andersons Act Two impressive solo, which was not only sung but acted, which transformed the song (I’ll let the audience see this for themselves) into a ballad that grows our understanding of Donna, her choices, sadness and motivation for her isolated life on the Island. If I may say, “Brava.”

Secondary story lines include Donna’s old pals, Tanya and Rosie who return to the island for the wedding which results in reliving some of the fun they had on the Island singing with Donna as a trio. As Tanya, Aurelia Fure brings professional sophistication to the stage, reminding us somethings get better with age. Barbara Ryneer as Rosie is earthy and fun with a singing voice that is perfect for the material. As a side note, July 9 and 10 Leslie Parkkonen will take the stage as Rosie.

Playing the potential fathers to Sophie are Sam, portrayed with lovely moments by Alex Harris, Matt Gilbertson, doing a fine job as the partier turned businessman Harry and Tom Laitinen, as the charismatic and burly world traveler, Bill. Sophie’s BFF’s also join her for the wedding on the Island to provide support and propel the story line while singing, dancing and being extremely cute and fun and is played by Morgan Behrend and Beatrix Zeleznik. Bryce Genovese portrays Sophie’s future husband Sky with flair and honesty. Adding some humor and summertime escape is Nate Bunker as Eddie and throwing in some fine dance moves as Pepper is Canyon Medina. This production also has a contributing chorus that sings onstage and off and dances with great joy, which was quite fun to watch.

Here’s the thing-tickets are going to be hard to come by, but if I know anything about Peggy Frazier it might not be impossible to attend this production during its three week run at the boathouse. Go and enjoy the fun, have some laughs, dance to the parking lot then go home and slip into your vintage bell-bottoms.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Denise Clark has directed numerous productions in our community.