Mamma Mia!
Playing at Winter Garden Theatre
Musical or play? Musical
Lottery or Rush Tickets? $45.00 In Person Rush Tickets and $49.00 Digital Lottery Tickets
What I Paid: $99.50
My Rating: ★★★ 1/2
Official Website: https://mammamiabway.com/
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Mamma Mia!, the worldwide musical phenomenon, comes home to Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre for a special limited return engagement beginning August 2nd.
The international musical sensation that has kept audiences dancing in the aisles for 25 years. Mamma Mia! is the Broadway getaway that audiences can’t wait to escape to, and this August it returns to the Winter Garden Theatre for a special limited engagement. You already know you’re gonna love it – get your tickets today.
REVIEW
When I found out that Mamma Mia! was returning to Broadway for a strictly limited engagement, I knew I had to be there. Regrettably, I missed this show during its original run, as I figured it would run long enough for me to catch it when I was ready. I have since learned not to put off shows you want to see, as you never know when they will close. Thankfully, the North American tour is making a 6-month stop at the Winter Garden through February 1, 2026, and I was able to catch it during my most recent trip to New York City.
I purchased a Center Orchestra ticket in Row H at TKTS for 50% off at $99.50. This is a full view seat, and I am very happy I got such a great deal on what was otherwise a hefty ticket price. That being said, this show has not been on TKTS consistently, so I do recommend purchasing tickets in advance if Mamma Mia! is a must see for you. I will say that I have sat in the very last row of the orchestra at the Winter Garden before without a bad view.
If you are familiar with the Mamma Mia! movie adaptation, the storyline of the Broadway show is very similar with a few small differences here and there. The music is, of course, absolutely wonderful. The cast is all exceptionally talented, but I especially loved Donna (Christine Sherrill), Tanya (Jalynn Steele), and Rosie (Carly Sakolove). These women are killing it with their powerful vocals, stage presence, and comedic timing. Sophie, played by Amy Weaver, is also a highlight with her beautiful voice. Similarly, the Mamma Mia! band is incredible. I will warn you, though: the opening to Act 2 after intermission starts so loudly and abruptly that the entire audience jumped, and many people screamed from being startled!
While I had heard a fair amount of negativity online about the set, as someone who never saw the original production of Mamma Mia!, I did not find the set to be lacking at all, especially when considering this revival run is part of the tour. Though simple, the set is bright and functions well for the show. In fact, it allows for the choreography with the large ensemble cast to really shine. If you enjoy shows with big dance numbers, Mamma Mia! has some really fun ones, such as Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Probably the only thing that detracted from my enjoyment of the show was not the show itself, but the audience. Since Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical, I was afraid that people would be singing along. While that did happen a bit, what was worse was the talking! The family to my left was from Europe, and the father translated nearly the entirety of the show to his teenager. Similarly, the couple to my right also spoke at many points. This unfortunately was quite distracting, but at a big touristy musical like Mamma Mia!, it is to be expected.
That being said, I overall thoroughly enjoyed seeing Mamma Mia! on Broadway. This show is a great mix of upbeat, show-stopping numbers that are full of fun, all with tenderhearted moments between a mother and her daughter mixed into the plot. In a day in age where the real world can feel overwhelmingly bleak, Mamma Mia! is the perfect way to spend a few hours of your day having the time of your life!
STAGE DOOR
The Stage Door at the Winter Garden is directly opposite the theatre’s main entrance. You will find barricades set up on 7th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Although I attended a Wednesday matinee performance, Mamma Mia! did not have an evening show, and to my delight and surprise nearly the entire cast came out to sign Playbills and take selfies with audience members. This was a wonderful Stage Door experience, as the fans were all polite and respectful, and the performers were all super friendly. While I don’t know if the cast comes out for matinees on two-show days, I would recommend stopping by the Stage Door if you have time.
See my vlog from Mamma Mia! on Instagram HERE and learn more about my experience buying tickets on TKTS HERE!