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‘Mamma Mia,’ that’s not opera, but actress loves them both
By John Benson
Gabrielle Mirabella spent years studying opera yet nowadays she finds herself as a cast member in the national touring production of the ABBA-music-fueled “Mamma Mia!”
No offense to fans of the ’70s band, but there aren’t too many trained opera singers delving into the sweet pop catalog. More so, one would argue opera folks could be condescending or snobbish when it comes to performing such catchy material.
However, it turns out for Mirabella, who has played the role of Tanya in “Mamma Mia!” for the last 18 months, this is a dream come true of sorts.
“I’m a big champion for the merging of opera and musical theater; it’s actually one of my passions in my career,” said Mirabella, calling from Easton, Pa. “The closer we can get to the two, the better. They both do something for the audience.
“It’s still just that you’re onstage giving back to that audience and really making a special night of it. That’s all that matters. So, pooh-pooh to the snobs. Hopefully, in a perfect world, we can merge the two and all be happy together.”
The Tony Award-nominated, ABBA-music-fueled “Mamma Mia!” returns to Northeast Ohio for a Monday show at Packard Music Hall in Warren.
As for her character, Mirabella said she dreamed about playing Tanya. Actually, Mirabella admits to seeing the smash musical a number of times years ago with her mother. Ironically, it was on her mother’s birthday in 2013 that Mirabella received the call that she had been cast as Tanya.
“As character roles go, something like this is right up my alley,” Mirabella said. “She’s got a lot of quirks, she’s a strong character and I like to think a mix between Elaine Stritch and the mother from ‘Arrested Development.’”
While Tanya gets the laughs, the entire casts gets the audience dancing in their seats. Naturally the allure of “Mamma Mia!” is the music, including ABBA’s songs “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me.”
Then there’s the story, which takes place on a Greek island, involving a spirited daughter’s search for her real father to walk her down the aisle.
To date, more than 54 million people worldwide have watched “Mamma Mia!” but audiences keep coming back to this plot that seems to resonate with the masses.
“A lot of people who come to see the show are people who have seen it multiple times, so it’s not just the music,” Mirabella said. “It’s a great fun storyline that again has something for everyone. I truly believe that’s why ‘Mamma Mia!’ has been around for so long and will always be around.”