By Ed Lowe
Senior Writer
This is the time of year when theaters blossom with family entertainment. There are dozens of choral concerts and musical presentations. There are all sorts of "Do-it-Yourself" Messiah performances. But the real fun is in the professional stage productions that seem to come along every year along with Santa and tree lights.
This year is no exception with two outstanding examples of family fun on Chicago Loop stages. "Mama Mia" is on the stage at the Ford Center - Oriental Theater. While the plot of this show is tissue paper thin, the enthusiasm of ABBA’s music, on which the show is based, and the sheer energy with which it’s presented make the experience worthwhile. The disco beat is strong enough to carry the show by itself.
The plot revolves around Donna (Lauren Mufson) whose 20-year-old daughter, Sophie (Bekah Hunt), is about to be married. The action takes place on a Greek Island where Donna operates a taverna. Nine months before Sophie is born, Donna conducts affairs with three different men. Which one fathered Sophie makes the gist of the story as Sophie invites all three of them to her wedding. So much for plot. Mufson has a great stage voice—she knows how to belt out a song as does her sidekick, Tanya (Lori Haley Fox). Hunt lacks the power to project her weak voice which needs more amplification.
But wrapping up the evening in a show with the dynamism of "Mama Mia" makes for a great evening. And the carefully staged curtain call is one of the longest I’ve ever experienced—it’s almost a reprise of the show with new costumes and more singing, dancing and fun.
The second show worth seeing with your family is the 27th revival of the Goodman Theater’s "Christmas Carol" which also continues through Dec. 26. This chestnut isn’t roasting by an open fire—it’s alive and well on stage with costumes and sets that bring you back to a simpler time in Victorian England and the strong influence of Dickensian London. The moral message of the story is well known—it’s better to give than to receive stands up well today. The cast is perfect and the special effects, including a flying Scrooge (played for the third year by William Brown), are worth the price of admission. Also worth mentioning is the great job done by Bradley Mott who performs the dual role of Fezziwig and the Ghost of Christmas Present with gusto and great humor.
The entire cast seems, somehow, to be well adapted to the spirit of Christmas and it shows as carols seem to spring spontaneously from the choral group who represent the burghers and laity of London in the mid-19th Century. Especially fetching is Elijah Roberts who makes his stage debut as Tiny Tim.
Both presentations continue through Dec. 26. For pricing and show times, contact the Goodman at (312) 443-3800. Ticket prices range from $20 to $60 depending on location and performance. The Ford Center - Oriental Theater box office is available through the Broadway in Chicago ticket hot line at (312) 902-1400. Pricing ranges between $37 and $83, again depending on performance and seating location. If you want to experience a family evening or matinee at the theater, there’s no better opportunity in Chicago’s theater-rich environment than one of these shows during the holiday season.
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