Partying like it’s 1979 — and in platform shoes — is exactly what global touring show AbbaFab will be doing with Northeast Ohio audiences this week.
AbbaFab is slated to perform June 10 at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre.
“We’re on the line of imitation, but also we’re not trying to pretend to be them because there is only one ABBA,” said singer-keyboardist Nick Davies, who appears in AbbaFab with his wife, Julia. “All we’re trying to do is keep the music alive and really just pay tribute to the amazing work they did when they were together.
“On stage, we’re going to be getting as close to those original recordings with those tight harmonies as we can. We have a lot of audience participation. It’s literally just 90 minutes of nonstop fun.”
Touring for the past 14 years, AbbaFab performs the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee act’s monster hits, such as “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” “Honey Honey” and, of course, “Dancing Queen.”
“It’s just uplifting music,” Julia said. “No matter what mood you’re in, you can put ABBA on and you instantly feel better and want to dance. I think that translates — everybody just wants to have a little fun singing into their hairbrush in the living room. It’s kind of the perfect music for that. It’s all lighthearted and easy to enjoy.”
If ABBA’s popularity had waned over the years, that changed around the turn of the century with the Tony Award-nominated musical “Mamma Mia!” and its big-screen adaptation (and sequel) keeping the band’s music alive around the globe.
Fans of ABBA are well aware the impossible happened in the fall when the reclusive act surprised the world by releasing new album “Voyage.”
Davies compared the gift to divorced parents marrying again and making the family happy and whole.
“What’s cool is the music sounds like right where they left off,” Julia said. “They didn’t try to modernize, to fit in with what’s happening now. It’s true to ABBA and any of those new songs could fit in easily with any of their original albums.”
The last aspect of an AbbaFab show that we’d be remiss not to mention is that not only is it filled with dancing queens in the crowd, but they’re often dressed for a successful night of fun and fantasy.
“It seems like every show we do it’s a costume contest,” Davies said. “People always come dressed to the nines, whether it’s in suits, kimonos or boas. Last week, we had someone show up to the show in a giant Swedish flag onesie. It’s so cool.”
Added Julia, “When we see people have gone all out and are just living their best lives dancing, singing and all dressed up, it feeds the fire for us. It makes us want to go harder and just have fun. You definitely feed off the energy of the crowd. I love it.”
AbbaFab
When: 8 p.m. June 10.
Where: Mimi Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.
Tickets: $47.50 to $57.50.
Info: 216-241-6000 or PlayhouseSquare.org.
