‘Mamma Mia!’ at Actors’ Playhouse is escapist theater of the best kind
Feeling joyous is not so easy these days, given the country’s toxic politics, global climate change, potential pandemics – well, pick your anxiety-producing crisis.
But at least temporarily, joy can be experienced for the price of a theater ticket.
Anyone who helped make “Mamma Mia!” a $4 billion global behemoth would probably tell you that the 21year-old jukebox musical, which pairs hits from the Swedish pop supergroup ABBA with a silly plot, is pretty much a sure thing when it comes to mood boosting. That doesn’t mean “Mamma Mia!” is great theater – it isn’t – but it works as an escapist oasis.
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables has just opened a “Mamma Mia!” that is bright, bouncy and beyond broad.
Artistic Director David Arisco’s production features plenty of first-rate vocal talent; skillfully enthusiastic dancers to execute Ron Hutchins’ athletic choreography; and a pop-adept, eight-piece band led by musical director Caryl Fantel.
Set designer Sean McClelland and set dresser Jodi Dellaventura, lighting designer Eric Nelson and costume designer Ellis Tillman create the inviting, sun-kissed fictional Aegean Sea island of Kalokairi, where clothing worn by the buff younger inhabitants
We sure take our water seriously, so seriously, in fact, that our bottles now are both fashion statement and status symbol. Stainless steel or reusable plastic? Loop cap? Collapsible? Wide mouth, straw lid or flip top? BPA free? (Well, of course. You shouldn’t have to ask.)
A note to the uninitiated: Though bottled water from springs and clear streams and who knows where probably began this craze, single-use plastic is currently a no-no, with good reason as such waste is toxic. In a pinch, though, I’ve observed even the most ecominded succumbing to their easy accessibility.
At any rate, the point of a water bottle goes beyond the obvious of staying hydrated. The brand you carry says as much about you as your college sweatshirt, and depending on your tastes, buying one can put you back a mere five bucks or more than a whopping $100. I own a couple of water bottles, both straw-lid giveaways, one advertising a healthcare insurance company, the other a store. I’m not sure what that reveals about me exactly, but I do use one every day — at the gym. It’s dishwasher safe, and I’m all about practicality.
This water-bottle fad recently drew the attention of The New York Times, which devoted a fascinating story to the how and why of a beverage that is, essentially and historically, pretty boring. After all, we’re talking about water here, not champagne or vintage wine. Yet, the story noted that Twitter was flooded with New Year’s resolutions from people who vowed to drink more water.
The headline pretty much sums it up: Everyone’s Resolution Is to Drink More Water in 2020. Why are we so obsessed with hydration?
Truly, we are obsessed. Bottled water — the one we actually pay for, even when living far from Flint, Michigan — shot past soft drinks as the top purchased beverage by volume in 2017. Since then sales have continued to go up, corresponding with the pervasiveness of those bottles.
The Times reporter concluded: “Water, in recent years, has been imbued with the powers of a mysterious elixir.”
Indeed. Water apparently can solve any health problem you might have. Wrinkles? Plump up your skin with H2O. Tired?
Drink up. Trying to lose weight? A couple of glasses before every meal should fill you up. In fact, just carrying around a bottle with this potent potion tells the world that you’re a self-aware, conscientious and successful person. You can also go as far as tracking your consumption with an app on your phone, which will prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, how committed you are to hydration.
And if you really, really, really want to get creative about what you pour down your gullet, you can also make sure your fancyschmanzy bottle serves as a sacred receptacle to vitamin water, artesian water, mineral water, etc. etc. etc. (A note of caution: Regardless of the kind of water you indulge in, you’ll still need to be within range of a bathroom.)
Me, I think I’ll stick to tap water, in a glass, enjoyed best when I’m thirsty. No counting, no measuring. And when out in the yard, I’ll revert to my childhood ways and drink it straight from the hose. I hope you won’t think any less of me.