Critique | Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again: A Materialization of Irresistible Attraction
Mamma Mia! made a significant impact on Broadway after its 2001 debut, running initially from October 18, 2001, through October 19, 2013, at the Winter Garden Theatre and subsequently transferring to the Broadhurst Theatre until September 12, 2015. The musical's success helped popularize the jukebox musical format and brought ABBA’s music to a broad theater audience worldwide, with over 70 million viewers globally and two film adaptations.
Its story—a wedding eve drama linked by iconic ABBA songs like "Dancing Queen" and "The Winner Takes It All"—captured audiences with feel-good nostalgia and catchy tunes, contributing to its long-running popularity.
Regarding its 2025 return on Broadway, Mamma Mia! reopened at the Winter Garden Theatre with a limited engagement starting previews on August 2 and officially opening on August 14, 2025. Early reviews describe the revival as delivering "another undiluted shot of ABBA joy" enhanced by a "double layer cake of nostalgia," indicating that audiences and critics are receiving it warmly with enthusiasm for both the music and the nostalgic experience it provides.
The revival currently runs through February 1, 2026, continuing the legacy of the musical and reaffirming its lasting appeal on Broadway. The performances in the current production are generally solid and functional, placing the emphasis on the show’s enduring appeal and ABBA's irresistible songs.
Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical based on the songs of ABBA, with Catherine Johnson's book effectively weaving the greatest hits into a simple but moving story. Amy Weaver delivers an especially winning performance as Sophie, the young woman whose upcoming wedding and desire to learn her father's identity drive the plot.
The show's return is a reunion of sorts, providing warm, familiar, and comforting company. Interestingly, the current production features a scaled-down feel compared to its original Broadway staging, with the cast made up almost entirely of unknowns, most making their Broadway debuts. This version of Mamma Mia! is not a full-scale Broadway revival but rather an extended stop on the show's 25th anniversary national tour.
Mamma Mia! paved the way for an endless wave of jukebox musicals on Broadway. Despite not being updated since its original Broadway run, the show is now a period piece set in the late 1990s, depicting the adult characters' youth in the 1970s. The show remains family-friendly and unifying, with audiences of various political affiliations enjoying the show together.
Currently, Mamma Mia! is running at the Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway, until February 1, 2023. The show offers ideal summer theatergoing: light, colorful, mainstream, and ultimately life-affirming. If you're a fan of ABBA or simply looking for a feel-good musical experience, Mamma Mia! is definitely worth a watch.
Entertainment and movies-and-tv ecosystems are abuzz with the ongoing run of Mamma Mia!, the ABBA jukebox musical that has been captivating audiences at the Winter Garden Theatre since its revival on August 2, 2025. The show's recent return continues to reaffirm its lasting appeal, offering a nostalgic theater experience with memorable songs like "Dancing Queen" and "The Winner Takes It All."
