Mamma Mia Magic at the Hollywood Bowl

Mamma Mia Mamma Mia what a fantastically fun night it was at the Hollywood Bowl!

Dancing Queen Young and Sweet only seventeen awww yeaaaa..... 
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music
Getting in the swing
You come to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
Only seventeen
Dancing queen
Feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen

What a night! I woke up this morning with a song in my head and I still processing the wonder of ABBA and Mamma Mia.

Honestly when I booked the tickets, I had no clue that I was going to a LIVE stage special performance!
Actually this didn't hit me until I walked into the Bowl.

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There I was on phone with Dave because I just don't do well in the car when there's traffic and I have somewhere to be - ya know like in a seat for a show...

So he suggested that we just get out and he'll park and meet us in our seats.   Good enough for me! I was outta there.

And little did I know that by the end of the night that I'd have the makings of a blister on the ball of my left foot - so I really didn't need those extra few steps in my day anyhow.
Ouch my poor foot is in full blown blister mode this morning.

There I was on the phone with Dave as we were walking to our seats because he couldn't find my sweater - which I thought I took...in fact hang on a sec I'm gonna see if it's actually still in my closet... WELL it wasn't in my closet, but I guess I left in on our stair balcony railing.
Good thing I really didn't need it after-all.

Anyhoo back to the evening - I stood there staring at the stage almost in shock.
All the while I thought we were going to see the movie Mamma Mia with a live orchestra and do a SING-ALONG.   Because we all sing along to Abba don't we?!

I was pleasantly surprised that this was a LIVE show. Ya know I was kinda wondering why they were selling programs. Maybe my BLONDE roots were showing? Oh hang on, I don't have BLONDE roots! LOL

We arrived at our seats and waited for Dave and our friends to arrive and for the show to begin.

And then the familiar opening scene of where Sophie goes to mail out the 3 invites singing
'I Have a Dream'

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels

Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels

Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream, I have a dream

With a very talented star studded cast that was humorous, entertaining and boy can Jennifer Nettles (of Sugarland) who played Donna belt out her numbers! She was absolutely brilliant!

ADDITIONAL CAST MEMBERS:
Corbin Bleu as Sky
Dove Cameron as Sophie
Jaime Camil as Sam
Tisha Campbell Martin as Tanya
Lea DeLaria as Rosie
Hamish Linklater as Harry
Steven Weber as Bill
​

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Speaking of belting out numbers, I kept looking over at Cosette and her choir-mate/friend Brianna and those two were having the time of their lives singing along to each and every tune.

Both girls having seen Mamma Mia on stage - Cosette on Broadway and Brianna in London - though neither performance could even come close to touching the amazement from last nights performance!

It was a perfect night. One that we'll never forget and one that we didn't want to come to an end.

I think there is only one thing left for me to do...

Book a trip to Skopelos Island (Kalokairi island of the 2008 MAMMA MIA movie).
Mamma Mia was filmed in Greece in Skopelos, Skiathos and Damouhari Pelion. 

However according to outside sources the islanders' official policy has always been maximum friendliness and minimal Mamma Mia! publicity - so there are no Mamma Mia! T-shirts, postcards, fridge magnets or bus tours.     There is no Hollywoodisation of the island, the only exception is the desolate Mamma Mia! bar. I guess I'll have to report on if this accurate or if times have changed.

-T