Full disclosure: I am not, nor have I ever been an ABBA fan. Having said that, you should also know that whether you are or you aren’t, Maine State Music Theatre’s “Mamma Mia” is one hell of a fun night out. It’s also sold out. And that happened before the show even opened on Aug. 11!

The musical debuted in London in March 1999 and on Broadway in 2001 — to rave reviews. The musical features top ABBA songs beginning with “Mamma Mia.” Catherine Johnson is the British playwright who put this record-breaking musical together. According to MammaMia.com, while writing the book for Mamma Mia! Johnson discovered the ABBA songs were “complete stories within themselves,” songs that evolved from being “innocent and teenage oriented” to “mature and reflective.” A story about two generations of women, a mother and daughter, their relationship with each other and their friends, romance and the importance of being true to one’s self, starting with just being young and free.

Music and lyrics for the musical are by the male half of ABBA, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and some by Stig Anderson. 

Donna Sheridan (Lauren Mufson) is a former ’70s pop singer who didn’t make the big time with her group, Donna & the Dynamos. Donna is also the single mom of a 20-year-old daughter, Sophie (Chelsea Williams), and is a hotelier on a Greek island. Sophie has a wedding coming up, one Donna is not all that enthusiastic about. As the the big day gets closer, Sophie “discovers” her mother’s journal only to find out her father could be one of three men Donna saw one week in July. Sophie decides to invite all three to the wedding with the hope that she will just know which one it is and her father will be there to walk her down the aisle. When Sophie’s friends arrive on the island the week of the wedding — Lisa (Taylor Broadard) and Ali (Emily Kelly) — she tells them what she’s done, but not her mother. Surprise!

The three men — the ever British Harry Bright (Peter Simon Hilton), Bill Austin (Aaron Galligan-Stierle) and Sam Carmichael (Ian Knauer) — arrive and are surprised to see each other. They also assume Donna sent the invitations ... in betwixt this volcano of a story line, another is the reunion of Donna with her friends, and back up singers, Rosie (Mylinda Hull) and Tanya (Jennifer Swiderski). In the number “Chiquitita” Rosie and Tanya are working on getting Donna over the shock of learning that the three men, a.k.a. “Sophie’s dads” are “in town” for the nuptials. Whipping out a hair dryer, brushes for microphones they get Donna up off the bed and into the groove. 

And, here’s the skinny on these three actresses — they are “bitchin” - to  use ’70s slang (yeah, I remember). Seriously rockin’ in the singing-comedic-I’m-in-a-cult-musical-fabulous kind of way. Mufson, who played Donna on Broadway, has a strong alto voice that you sit up and take notice of. Hull and Swiderski have impeccable timing and can deliver lines like nobody’s business. You’ll love them. They put the “f” in (hey now!) ... FUN. 

Donna’s beaus are perfectly cast. A handsome lot with gobs of talent. Two have a song with Donna; “S.O.S.” is with Sam, the one who clearly still has her heart, but left her ... to marry someone else (insert boos here). But, didn’t live happily ever after. Serious stuff - for ABBA songs anyway. On a lighter note is “Our Last Summer” with Harry (who confesses that he’s gay), as the couple reminisce about their romance in Paris and other European cities. 

Sophie, her love, Sky (Cory Jeacoma), and their friends keep the energy level high throughout the show — as they should being the younger folks on the island. One of the highlight songs in the show is “Does Your Mother Know?” sung by Tanya and Pepper (Neil Starkenberg) Sophie and Sky’s friend who’s got it bad for the ever glamorous, flirtatious, hell-yeah-I’ve-still-got-it, four-time bride, Tanya. Swiderski pumps plenty of, um, ... sass into this number!  

And speaking of sass ... Hull gives it her all as Rosie making an overt play for Bill. Funny and va-va-voom, girl!

The sets are gorgeous — moved to suit the scene by dancing ensemble cast members. The special effects — strobe lights and, well, I can’t say anymore — I wouldn’t want to ruin the fun encore antics! 

MSMT choreographer Mark Martino works acrobatics into some of the dance numbers that takes the dancing over the top.

This show is a party! 

It’s also a sold out party.

So if you were lucky enough to get tickets (did I just say ‘lucky enough?!’) — don’t be surprised if you turn into a “Dancing Queen.”