I’d like to preface this conversation by stating that I’m not a proper reviewer. My area of expertise is in news and features, but after my friend and frequent contributor to this publication, Abbie Wells, invited me to a preview showing of the hit Broadway musical, “Mamma Mia,” being presented last weekend by the local professional theatre, Lyric Arts in Anoka, Minnesota, I jumped on the opportunity to see it.
Growing up in the peak “Mamma Mia!” movie era, I watched the cinematic adaptation with my sister on what felt like a weekly rotation. It became one of my favorite musicals, full stop. So when Wells extended an invitation to a preview performance at Lyric Arts in Anoka, Minnesota, I didn’t hesitate.
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect walking into what many consider a small-town theater. That uncertainty evaporated the moment I saw the set.
Scenic designer Michaela Lochen has constructed something genuinely extraordinary. A sun-drenched Greek island materialized before me, complete with a beautifully ivy-laden taverna that would not have looked out of place in a major metropolitan production. The design was so meticulous and evocative that it transported me out of a chilly Minnesota evening and onto a warm Aegean hillside. It is the kind of work you stop to study.
If the set was a statement of intent, the cast delivered on it fully.
Raquel Ponce’s Sophie is the emotional engine of the production: moving, vocally gifted and utterly genuine from her first moment on stage. She earns the audience’s investment early and holds it through curtain call. Lisa Vogel, as Donna, is something special. There is no other way to put it. She commands every scene with a rare combination of vulnerability and strength that elevates the entire production around her.
Holli Kingdon’s Tanya is a revelation: funny, magnetic and irresistibly charming in a role that demands all three. Emily Jabas brings a grounded believability to Rosie that makes her one of the most unexpectedly moving performances of the night. Jordan Dewayne-White Kueng brings real warmth and likability to Sky, even if his British accent is a touch inconsistent, a minor quibble in an otherwise winning turn. And Jack Moorman, as the relentlessly flirtatious Pepper, may take a scene or two to fully win you over, but once he does, he is completely impossible to resist.
The full ensemble, including Asher Bennett-Hays, Daze Bishop, Cody Dahlson, Caitlin Featherstone, Jonathan P. Haller, Malea Hanson, Christopher Harney, Carly Joseph, Morgan Kempton, Eric Lee, Keith Reilly, France A. Roberts, Gianna Schiller, Timothy Snook and Quinn Wambeke, rounds out a cast that performs with the kind of collective energy and commitment that makes “Mamma Mia!” the experience it’s meant to be.
“‘Mamma Mia!’ — it’s a party and you’re all invited,” director Kassy Skoretz said in a statement. “This iconic musical, headlined by a diverse and strong group of women, is a story about joy in a chosen family.”
That spirit comes through clearly on stage. The choreography, led by Michael Terrell Brown, is consistently propulsive, and the ensemble’s energy rarely flags. JJ Gisselquist’s musical direction keeps ABBA’s catalog sounding vital. “Dancing Queen,” “The Winner Takes It All” and “Super Trouper” land with the impact they deserve.
One persistent issue, however, tempers the overall experience: the audio balance. The instrumental mix is rich and full, but the vocal amplification consistently struggled to keep pace. Singers were audible, but their voices lacked the crispness and presence that the performances demanded. It is not a new problem at this venue, and it is one that deserves direct attention before the production’s run ends May 10.
That caveat aside, “Mamma Mia!” at Lyric Arts is exactly what professional community theater can be at its best. Skoretz has assembled a cast and creative team that punches well above the weight of any geography-based expectations. I fell in love with this musical all over again, and I wasn’t the only one. Once the show ended, and the standing ovations started, I looked around the theater at the audience. People of every age were dancing and grooving to the music. It was a humbling shared moment of humanity that moved me to tears. It was an escape from the trying times we’re currently in. “Mamma Mia!” brought me home, and I encourage all to see the show if you can.
Performances run through May 10, 2026, at the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, 420 E. Main Street, Anoka, Minnesota. Tickets start at $50 and are available at lyricarts.org or by calling the box office at 763-422-1838. Select dates include ASL interpretation and post-show discussions.
