Gary Gonser August 15, 2026 Leave a comment
This production of Mama Mia is simply over the top for glamor, music and fun. The music stands out with their band and the amazing singing of the cast. The dancing is totally brilliant and fills the need for a party to celebrate life in these times. This show is totally worth the trip to Sonoma to their new stage in the “Field of Dreams.”
This production of a Broadway play gives Transcendence an opportunity to excel in their specialty of music and dancing in a large venue. The space is relatively new to them, and they make the best of their good fortune to find a location so close to their home in Sonoma. This play is the ninth longest running show on Broadway and the longest running jukebox musical ever on Broadway. Transcendence plays the high points to look and feel like we are in the 1970’s once again,
The book is written by Catherine Johnson, with ideas from Judy Craymer. The music and lyrics are by our friends Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. The show opened in Briton in 1999, moving to different British theatres until Covid hit in 2020. It actually opened in the US in 2000 at the Orpheum in San Francisco.
We start with a wonder that the stage and audience can fit so well in the space provided in an open field. Admittedly, the stage is rather bare, but we find surprises everywhere, including a full band of 10 musicians, multiple “backup” choruses hidden in the wings, the ever-present bed on wheels, a dance floor for all to perform on (at the right height), a cast of 24 and a mysterious dressing room that serves them all amazingly well. It’s a good start to a great evening.
Tony Gonzalez directs this adventure on one of the Greek islands inspired by Santorini. Donna Sheridan (played by Allison Pearce) has built a tavern on the island. Her daughter, Sophie (played by Karsten Lane Flake), is getting married and invites her three potential fathers to the party. Of course they all come together and the fun begins.
Donna has a pair of enduring (and endearing) friends that have supported her through thick and thin for the past 21 years of life as a single mom on the island. Of course they pull Donna through the traumas that come knocking with the three guys from her past. It’s magical that they have the slapstick humor that gives us all a reprieve from the memories we are reliving of our own ‘70’s and the ABBA music.
Director Gonzalez has pulled the play together very well, thank you. The convoluted story makes sense and the singers wake the music up at all the right calls for all of us delighted audience participants. Tony Gonzalez also assisted with the choreography and scenic design, making everything work together.
Allison Pearce starts the show with a drill in hand to fix a problem on her tavern. It’s obvious that she loves music and the peace of the island, while she takes care of business. This will not last. Her two buddies, Rosie (played by Lori Haley Fox*) and Tanya (played by Tiffani Barbour*) come back to the island to reminisce with Donna before Sophie’s wedding. All three friends do some routines for us from the old days as “Donna and the Dynamos.” They are a fun introduction to the show.
In particular, I enjoyed Pearce’s singing voice of reason, Fox’s crackup humor antics and Tanya’s smooth voice and quality. When the peaceful scene breaks up, this trio of friends always brings it back to us.
The three guys arrive unknown to each other. Yes, they just want a good time, but they get a blast from their past on the first scene of welcome, when they find out that they are the guinea pigs of the event, one of which is the dad. Sam (played by Blake Whyte*) is the “adult” in the mix with the architect’s eye for detail and the critical mind. Harry (played by Matt Gibson*) is the British banker focused on the money and is kinda shy. Bill (played by Brian Ray Norris*) is the Australian writer and adventurer in for the heck of it. They all three vie for the father role, but the solution is not as easy as a game of “roshambo.”
Sky (played by Elton J. Tanega*) is the groom for the actual wedding. Tanega plays the young man in love with Sophie. He gets into the antics of the older actors but is apart from them. However, he does have a good time at the bachelor party when the guys go fishing. For such a major part, Tanega’s role is understated and there does not appear to be much chemistry between him and Sophie.
The ensemble singers and dancers were fantastic. They came on cue, stole the dance stage and then left not so quietly into the night. Often, the stage was rebuilt, magically, during their dances for the next scene. I give them all a shout out for a job well done.
Costumer Melinda Hare has done an amazing job creating different costumes for everyone, including the minister. I counted some eight costumes for Donna as the lead. Transcendence is known for its dancing, so the costumes needed to focus on movement, and fit perfectly. Done.
Choreographer Monica Kapoor kept everyone from crashing in the ensuing madness onstage. Since this cast and ensemble are experienced dancers, they each added some of their own style to the movements. To the delight of the audience, Kapoor kept the traffic moving together to the ABBA’s music of 1970’s. The party was non-stop except when the three friends reminisced about the past.
Lighting designer Soren Olsen managed to light the stage brilliantly for this outside show under the stars. It’s hard to light a stage already lit by sunlight, except to add color. When the sun goes down, the lighting becomes much more dramatic. The lighting in “Mama Mia“ was another dancer at night, moving from one actor to another to make the stage complete.
Harrah to Transcendence Theatre for doing this production. Their cast of professional singers and dancers brought the familiar music alive again, under the stars.
“Mama Mia” continues at the Transcendence Theatre in Sonoma at Field of Dreams, 151 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476, Sonoma, through August 30, 2026.
For further information and reservations: https://transcendencetheatre.org/
Rating: ****
“Mama Mia,” by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus, produced by Transcendence Theatre. Director: Tony Gonzalez, Music Director: Susan Draus, Choreographer: Monica Kapoor, Set Designer: Tony Gonzalez, Light Designer: Soren Olsen, Sound Design: Wes Shippee, Costume Designer: Melinda Hare, Stage Manager: Sarah E. T. Jackson*.
Cast: Allison Pearce as Donna Sheridan, Karsten Lane Flake as Sophie Sheridan, Blake Whyte* as Sam Carmichael, Lori Haley Fox* as Rosie, Tiffani Barbour* as Tanya, Matt Gibson* as Hrry Bright, Brian Ray Norris* as Bill Austin, Elton J. Tanega* as Sky, Andy Garcia* as Eddie, Siena Worland* as Lisa, Leo Lam* as Pepper, Abby Lerma as Ali.
Ensemble/Swings: Juli Biagi, Kabir Gandhi, Alaina Mills*, Miguel Castillo, Emersyn Garvin, David Otto, B Cronk, Nathan Groth, Yasmyn Sumiyoshi*, Rudy Day, Philip Dean Lightstone*, Ann Warque.
Band: Kanji Harada, Conductor/Keys, Enrique Carreon, Keys 2 Sub, Brietta Greger, Percussionist, Derek Brooker, Guitar 1, Isaac Carter, Guitar 2, Chelsea Melnick, Keys 3, Aaron Shaul, Bass, Juan Carreon, Drummer, Camden Greathose, Keys 4, Ami Nashimoto, Keys 2.
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
