"Mamma Mia" by Varalakshmi Sarathkumar (and Abba)

I was a teenager then. We had no music system at home. My friend next door (currently a movie actor and play back singer) acquired one. The neighborhood was reasonably well packed and the friend, thankfully, insensitive to noise pollution. That was when Anni-Frid Lyngstad (the sexy siren) and Agnitha Faltskog walked into my life. I went crazy. And continue to remain crazy about Abba.

Must have seen "Mamma mia", the theater production at least six times in three cities. Toronto was the best. London a close second. Broadway was good for its acoustics! The Canadian actor who played Donna Sheridan in 2004 had us moving and shaking to the beats. The Cambodian actor who played Pepper in New York jumped the highest in awe of "now you are cute, I like your style" Tanya. The English girl who portrayed Sophie Sheridan in London in 2006 was awesome. (Curious about what was the worst? Easy. The movie!)

But Varalakshmi Sarathkumar's (yes, the daughter of Tamil actor Sarathkumar) Mamma Mia in Chennai was very different and very good in several respects.

First, the choreography was awesome. Easily, the best.

Second, the creative alteration to the script and the set was refreshing.

Third, the songs were rendered to excellent standards.

Great job. They plan to tour. Watch out. Enjoy.