Life is funny. If you had told me two years, two months, two weeks, or even two days ago that I would be attending a show at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa comprised primarily of songs by ABBA, and that I would be enthusiastically singing its praises, I would have told you there was absolutely no chance. But life has a surprising way of proving us wrong.
Broadway Across Canada returns to the Southam Hall stage at the National Arts Centre with the multiple Tony Award-winning musical Mamma Mia!. On stage until Sunday, August 2, the beloved jukebox musical is built around the timeless catalogue of ABBA. I had always assumed that to truly appreciate a jukebox musical you needed to already love the artist whose songs were being featured. If you were an ABBA fan, you would naturally love Mamma Mia!. If you weren’t? Maybe not.
Well, consider me corrected.
I’ve never been much of an ABBA fan. It’s not that I disliked the Swedish supergroup—they simply weren’t my thing. That fact, however, turned out to be completely irrelevant. Great theatre is great theatre, regardless of whether you know every lyric or have never intentionally listened to an ABBA album in your life. Mamma Mia! succeeds because it is a wonderfully entertaining production first and foremost, with the music serving as the icing on an already delicious cake.
Set on a picturesque fictional Greek island, the story follows 20-year-old Sophie Sheridan (Juliette M. Ojeda), who is preparing to marry her fiancé, Sky (Grant Reynolds). While reading her mother’s old diary, Sophie discovers that one of three men may be her biological father. Since she has grown up never knowing who her father is—and even her mother, Donna (Jessica Crouch), isn’t completely certain— Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands.
Without telling her mother, she secretly invites all three potential fathers to the wedding in hopes of finally discovering the truth.
After all, what could possibly go wrong?
The book, written by Catherine Johnson, cleverly weaves together songs written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus into a story that never feels forced. One of my biggest concerns heading into the production was whether the songs would feel awkwardly inserted simply because they were recognizable hits. Instead, they fit naturally into the narrative, advancing both the story and the emotional journeys of the characters. Even someone unfamiliar with much of ABBA’s catalogue can appreciate how seamlessly the music is incorporated.
The performances are exceptional across the board.
Jessica Crouch is an absolute force as Donna. She commands the stage from the moment she appears and captivates the audience with a performance full of warmth, humour, vulnerability, and powerhouse vocals. She electrified the sold-out NAC audience, and her charisma makes it impossible to look anywhere else whenever she’s on stage. Whether she’s delivering emotional moments or embracing the show’s comedic side, Crouch never misses a beat. Whatever role she tackles next, I’m convinced she’ll excel.
Juliette M. Ojeda also shines as Sophie, bringing an infectious optimism and sincerity to the role. Her chemistry with Grant Reynolds lends the central romance credibility, while her emotional conflict surrounding her search for her father provides the story with genuine heart.
I was equally impressed by Donna’s lifelong friends, Rosie and Tanya, played by Carly Sakolove and Jalynn Steele. While technically supporting characters, there is nothing “supporting” about what they bring to this production. They are comedic scene stealers from beginning to end, delivering some of the evening’s biggest laughs while also displaying remarkable vocal talent. If scene stealing is wrong, then they don’t want to be right!
The ensemble deserves considerable praise as well. Every member of the cast contributes energy and enthusiasm that never wavers throughout the performance. The choreography is vibrant, energetic, and incredibly polished, adding another layer of fun to an already joyful production. The colourful costume design perfectly captures the sunny Mediterranean atmosphere, transporting the audience to Greece even while remaining comfortably seated in downtown Ottawa. Combined with the bright set design and clever lighting, the production creates an irresistible sense of escapism.
And while the central mystery of “Who is Sophie’s real father?” could easily have devolved into something resembling an episode of Maury, the show instead delivers a heartfelt, funny, and genuinely touching story about family, friendship, forgiveness, and love.
Perhaps that’s what surprised me most.
As someone who doesn’t consider himself an ABBA fan, I had absolutely no business enjoying this production as much as I did. Yet by the finale, I found myself doing something I never thought I’d do: standing with the rest of the sold-out crowd, dancing and enthusiastically clapping along to—God help me—ABBA songs.
Great theatre has a way of breaking down expectations. It makes you laugh, smile, connect with its characters, and leave happier than when you arrived.
From its outstanding cast and creative team to its infectious energy and memorable music, Mamma Mia! is one of the most entertaining productions Broadway Across Canada has brought to Ottawa. Whether you’re a lifelong ABBA devotee or someone like me who arrived as a skeptic, this production proves that a great show can win over anyone.
What can I say?
I guess I just can’t resist it.
Mamma Mia! is on stage at the National Arts Centre through Sunday, August 2nd. Tickets are available for purchase on the website Mamma Mia! | Broadway In Ottawa
Header image(L to R): Jalynn Steele (Tanya), Jessica Crouch (Donna Sheridan), and Carly Sakolove (Rosie) (Photo by Joan Marcus)
