Courtesy Joan Marcus

The premise sounds flimsy at best: A Broadway show based on the music of Swedish pop group ABBA. But since “Mamma Mia!” debuted in London in 1999, more than 27 million people have seen the show, which has become a blockbuster hit. “Mamma Mia!” last played San Antonio in 2003, and it's returning to the Majestic Theatre for a six-day run. The plot focuses on Sophie, a woman who, never having known who her father is, decides to find out by inviting the three possible candidates to her wedding on a Greek island. Enrico Rodriguez, 27, has been touring with “Mamma Mia!” for almost three years. He plays Pepper, who works for Sophie's mother in her restaurant.
 

Tell us about your character.
He tries really hard. He tries to hit on Tanya, one of the dynamos in the show, and he succeeds a little bit. It's a fun role, very rambunctious. I'm a big flirt. It's much like myself, I must say. It's not too much of a stretch.

What's the key to the show's success?
The music is so infectious. It's kind of mindless entertainment but it was really cleverly written. It's like going to a concert, so how can you not have fun? Everyone at the end of the show is always up and dancing and screaming and having a great time.

It seems to be popular with a younger generation that doesn't necessarily go to other Broadway shows.
Again, I'd have to attribute that to the music. It's just so fun and light. For the younger generation, they can relate to it on so many levels. There's a lot of young people in the show, too, so I think that helps.

ABBA's heyday was in the '70s. Why is the music still so popular?
It's just timeless. The melody and the beat. You put on “Dancing Queen” at a bar, whether it be straight or gay, and everybody will know what it is. Everyone knows at least one ABBA song.

Were you an ABBA fan before you were cast in this show?
I actually really wasn't too, too familiar with ABBA. I definitely had my “ABBA Gold” and I listened to it, but it wasn't on the top of my play list. But when it came on, it kind of got my inner beat going. It always kind of put me in a happier mood.

Which song do you get stuck in your head most often?
Of course “Dancing Queen,” and of course “Mamma Mia.” And “Does Your Mother Know?”

Isn't that Pepper's main song?
(Laughs) That's why.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA contributor