Abba Mia!

If it seems like “Mamma Mia!” tours through Chicago almost every year, that’s because it usually does, if only for Abba’s ongoing popularity and its single-stacked soundtrack. At this stage of its shelf-life, the musical created by original band members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus was witnessed by more than 50-million people around the world and continues running on both Broadway and London’s West End.

Besides its 1999 debut, the show’s seen several surges, especially following 2008’s film adaptation (starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters) and in 2010 after Abba was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Though there’s a story to be told (a girl who’s trying to find her father in advance of getting married), the real reason fans keep flocking are the songs themselves.

After all, who can resist singing along to “Lay All Your Love On Me,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” “S.O.S.,” and “Take A Chance On Me,” which are all weaved seamlessly into the humorous and sometimes touching tale. And here’s a tip for first time theatergoers: Don’t leave after the first curtain call because an encore segment ensures a mini tribute concert featuring a few reprises and favorites that didn’t fit in the storyline. “Dancing Queen” anyone? (Tuesday, January 24-Sunday, January 29@Oriental Theatre www.broadwayinchicago.com)

— Andy Argyrakis

Tags: Abba

Category: Featured, Stage Buzz, Weekly