Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The phenomenal hit musical at ACT2PV this season is Mamma Mia! and its featured on The Main Stage every Monday, Thursday & Saturday at 7:00 pm. Starring Act2’s PV Players, and with 41 out of 47 shows sold-out, this is the most successful musical that Puerto Vallarta has ever experienced.
Mamma Mia! is a musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, former members of the band. The title of the musical is taken from the group’s 1975 chart-topper “Mamma Mia.”
Ulvaeus and Andersson, who composed the original music for ABBA, were involved in the development of the original show from the beginning. And singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad has also been involved in the production and present at many of the show’s premieres around the world. The musical includes such hits as Super Trouper, Lay All Your Love on Me, Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Take a Chance on Me, Thank You for the Music, Money, Money, Money, The Winner Takes It All, Voulez-Vous, SOS and Mamma Mia.
Over 65 million people have seen the stage show worldwide since its 1999 debut. As of 2020, the show has played in London’s West End, where it is the seventh longest-running show in West End history, as well as various international productions. Its Broadway run closed in September 2015 after 14 years, making it the ninth longest-running show in Broadway history.
‘Ambitious’ is the word I would use to describe Act2PV’s decision to feature this musical on The Main Stage starring their own team of musical theater performers. Taking one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time and selling it to Vallarta audiences may have seemed ambitious, but it was a good bet. Mamma Mia! continues to sell out performances and has become the success story of the season!
Act2PV has brilliantly mentored the PV Players over the past several years. Appearing in musicals on The Main Stage, these performers have continued to enhance the reputation of this venue as the premiere musical theater venue in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay.
Last week, I attended a sold-out performance of Mama Mia! and soon realized that this was much more than amateur hour at the community theater. This production was clearly fine-tuned, with brilliant singers, actors, dancers, costumes and sets. The audience responded throughout the night with constant applause and cheers.
The PV Players gave a spectacular performance with clear vocals and dialogue, wonderful dancing and choreography, along with great lighting, acoustics and simple yet effective set changes. I recognized many of the actors from previous shows that I had attended and was very impressed with their acting and singing. The costumes were gorgeous and professionally tailored to add to the overall appeal of the show. The show was over 2 hours, but it flowed beautifully and was a delight to experience.
With Danny Minnini as producer and Alfonso Lopez as director, Mama Mia! was absolutely a professional musical theater production that exuded fun and joy, as only the music of ABBA could do!
The cast should be praised for their outstanding work and they are as follows: Ximena Peña Esparza as “Sophie,” Stephanie Wright Watts as “Donna,” Crist P. Thomas as “Harry,” Allan Carswell as “Sam,” Renzo Farid Sotelo as “Pepper,” Oscar Prieto as “Eddie,” Tom Bernes as “Father Alexandrios,” Marc Lopez as “Swing,” “Cate Valcic as “Rosie,” Sharon Gerber as “Tanya,” Ernesto Paulsen as “Bill,” Steven Retchless as “Sky,” Layla Bloch as “Lisa,” and “Miana Melendrez as “Ali.” And the Ensemble cast included Stephania Robles, Eli Estrada, Isabela Orlando and Edgar Roman.
For those unfamiliar with the plot of Mamma Mia!, “On a Greek Island A Wedding is About to Take Place….” From there ensues a twisted story line of love, loss, shame and rediscovered love, hope and joy, all put to music of ABBA. It goes without saying that the music is brilliant, but it should also be said that the acting, singing, dancing and spirit of the production are equally as magnificent.
Special recognition should go out to Donna and the Dynamos (including Donna, Rosie and Tanya), along with the fantastic lead performance of Sophie. Pepper, Eddie, Swing, Bill, Harry, Sky and Sam also gave superb performances. And Father Alexandrios delivered some wonderful comic relief at the wedding. Lisa and Ali did a fabulous job and all of the Ensemble cast were on-cue and awesome throughout.
If you enjoy the music of ABBA and/or musical theater, you won’t want to miss this production of Mamma Mia! Word has gotten around about this fun evening, so go to act2pv.com and book your tickets ahead of time for performances each Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 7 pm, to guarantee your seats.
Tickets to all shows can be purchased online at Act2PV.com, or at the box office, which is open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
The Act2PV Entertainment complex is located on the corner of Insurgentes and Basilio Badillo on the South side of Puerto Vallarta. For more information, call (322) 222-1512, or follow Act II on Facebook. Click HERE to see what else is playing at Act2PV.