It’s hard to believe, but the 25th anniversary tour of “Mamma Mia!” is out now and visiting venues around the country. It returns to Boston with its feel-good messages of love, female empowerment and family, set to a captivating score of classic ABBA tunes. It opens Broadway in Boston’s 24/25 season for a two-week run, Sept.
24-Oct. 6, at Citizens Opera House. Stages recently caught up with Alisa Melendez, who plays Sophie, the daughter of lead character Donna, who’s raised her as a single mom.
But Sophie’s getting married and wants her dad to walk her down the aisle. So, unbeknownst to Donna, Sophie invites all three guys her mom was involved with to her wedding. Here’s Melendez’s take on the show, her character and being on tour.
Why do you think Mamma Mia! remains so popular 25 years after it was first produced? Mamma Mia! proves to be timeless. Joy is timeless! Love is timeless! Women supporting women is timeless! Mothers and daughters, they are timeless! Universal! And even to this day, the cast of MAMMA MIA! and our sold-out audiences across the country might argue ABBA is timeless. It offers a special space to surrender to that joy and that love.
We know it exists, and what a pleasure to experience it through an unforgettable night at the theatre! Describe Sophie and how you relate to her? Sophie!! Love that girl. She is a 20-year-old ball of life. And in my case, she is a 5’9 Mexican ball of life.
She is a daughter, a friend, a lover, and a dreamer. I relate to Sophie, and it is an honor to play her every night. Especially the daughter and friend part- on and off stage! It’s so cool to honor the women that came before me with the women beside me onstage every night.
To dance with them, to tell this story, and lift each other up is the biggest blessing and highest honor. What do you look forward to on tour? The people!!! I always look forward to the audiences. The people on and off stage are what make this show and tour so great.
Whether it’s backstage, on stage, in the house, or the front of house ...
this tour invites a very exciting opportunity every day and the newness that comes with doing this show every night! To feel a new and very tangible energy in each theatre with new people sitting in those seats, while doing the same show every night, it’s cosmic. Have you played Boston before? What are you looking forward to here? I have never played Boston before! I am so excited. I have heard incredible things about Boston.
Specifically, your lobster rolls. I love lobster rolls. And I know it’s a city filled with so much history and beauty.
I can’t wait to be there. Do you have a favorite ABBA song from the show? Why? Chiquita and Dancing Queen really pull on my heartstrings. Not only how the songs are portrayed in the show with the iconic women who sing them, but also, in my family.
These songs blasting through the house while my mom, my aunties, and I sing and dance to them in the kitchen. My Dad, calling me his dancing queen as he tucked me into bed. I grew up with those songs, and they still bring me back to how much I love the women in my life.
Also, Gimme Gimme Gimme is such a slay. Anything else you’d like people to know about the show, touring, or your life? We all need a reminder to let go and have fun and dance. When you’re sitting in the audiences and people to your right and to your left are on their feet dancing, join them.
It’s good for you. Visit www. BroadwayInBoston.
com for tickets. WORCESTER SCENE: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory has numerous shows this week and in the future. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller is on tonight from THT Rep.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, experience The Life and Music of George Michael, and on Thurs., Sept.
26, it’s the family-friendly, interactive Price Is Right Live! Visit www.thehanovertheatre.org for info, schedule, and tickets.
.. The Worcester Symphony Orchestra presents George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” a classic “lite” concert, on Sunday, Sept.
29, at 4 p.m. at Mechanics Hall.
Visit https://www.purplepass.com/events/296169-worcester-symphony-orchestra-rhapsody-in-blue-clas-sep-29th-2024 for tickets.
Nancye Tuttle’s email is [email protected].
