Party on!

After months of waiting, the opening night audience for "Mamma Mia!" was whooping as the house lights went down, determined to have a good time. The show didn't disappoint them.

Clearly a jukebox musical, the show is a collection of tunes made popular by ABBA, the Swedish group that soared to international stardom in the 1970s, and held together by a flimsy plot line that could be rendered unnecessary by a simple DNA test.

Sophie is rushing into a premature marriage to compensate for 20 years of not knowing who her father is. After discovering her mother's diary, she invites three likely candidates to the picturesque Greek island where she has been raised.

Toughened up after two decades of running a taverna, mother Donna has also invited two members of her former singing group to the event. A perfect opportunity for songs and dances!

Despite the paint-by-numbers approach to cooking up a recipe musical comedy, the show has been undeniably successful. Since opening in 1999 it has reportedly been seen by more than 30 million people and grossed more than $2 billion.

What makes the touring production work at NBC is its undeniably feel-good music, tight ensemble cast and excellent comic flair. The full cast dance numbers are infectious, sexy and sometimes downright raunchy.

Pick a favorite ABBA tune, and the show rescues it from becoming elevator music. "Dancing Queen" is a throbbing, showy, up-tempo dance number. "Take a Chance On Me" is a comic seduction, and "The Winner Takes It All" works as a tortured torch song.

It's easy to discount the book by Catherine Johnson, but it is remarkably effective for a piece that doesn't try to be anything but entertaining.

The young couple is earnest, likeable and attractive, and John Hemphill as Sam sings better than Pierce Brosnan (and we'll leave it at that.)

The star role of Donna Sheridan goes to Michelle Dawson, who not only possesses great looks but has a wonderfully powerful and expressive singing voice that hums in its lower register and belts out emotion.

Choreography is aerobic and inventive. The extended finale is a punched-up disco experience and an opportunity for audience participation.