Some 25 years after it debuted in London, the ABBA jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!” has firmly established itself as a true crowd-pleaser with broad appeal and terrific songs.

In addition to spending 14 years on Broadway, the show has found a worldwide audience and has been staged in more than 50 countries on six continents, playing everywhere from China’s Shanghai Grand Theatre to the Hollywood Bowl. It inspired a hit film, a hit sequel and a third reportedly in the works. Locally, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ version stands as the company’s biggest success and ran for nearly a year.

The touring production that opened Tuesday at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre has plenty going for it, including some spectacular performers and stunning choreography, not to mention the infectious pop songs of the Swedish foursome.

It’s also big. And loud. So loud that when the orchestra kicked off the second act overture, I noticed visible winces from audience members still chatting in the aisles. Throughout the briskly paced show, it increasingly felt like it was designed for a cruise ship audience that began drinking at their (late) brunch, a crowd that needs to be clobbered over the head in order to keep their attention.

The plot is revealed in the first few minutes. Sophie (Alisa Melendez) is preparing for her wedding, which will take place on her mother Donna’s (Christine Sherrill) resort on a Greek island. She’d like to invite her father, but the problem is she doesn’t know who he is. After snooping through her mother’s diary, she learns it’s one of three men her mom had relations with: Sam (Victor Wallace), an American architect and estranged ex; Bill (Jim Newman), an Australian writer and one-night stand; and Harry (Rob Marnell), a British banker and another one-nighter.

Sophie’s solution to finding her true father? She invites all three to her wedding, unbeknownst to her mom, with the notion she’ll know for sure once she meets him in person. From there, the show follows the events that lead up to the wedding ceremony, which has some doubt hanging over it due to Sophie’s young age of 20.

While the breezy storyline bounces along with even breezier songs, “Mamma Mia!” also examines the power of female friendship, the nature of sexual relationships and the foundation of marriage, all while maintaining an infectious cheer. (Fans should be sure to watch the 21st episode of the 3rd season of “30 Rock,” which hilariously roasts and celebrates the musical.)

From the very top, the cast cranks up the energy to a 10, leaving them nowhere to go from there. A little more nuance would have gone a long way, even in a show as goofy as this one.

Playing the lead role of Donna gives Sherrill plenty of moments to shine. She’s an exceptionally strong vocalist who belts out each number so powerfully, scenemates like Wallace have to nearly scream to keep pace. Sherrill, who at times brings to mind the actress Jean Smart, also has a tendency to sing behind the beat. It’s a neat, but utterly unnecessary, trick that got to be jarring.

Little about the sparse, ugly set suggests it’s taking place on an island where people go to vacation. Yes, I get that Donna’s resort is a bit run down, but it looked more like a prison camp than a weekend getaway.

That said, Sherrill shows obvious chemistry with her on-stage best friends Tanya (Jalynn Steele) and Rosie (Carly Sakolove). And Sakolove makes the most of her comic-relief role with some outstanding physical comedy that’s a pleasure to watch.

With few exceptions, the large cast delivers the thrill and charge of an actual, big-budget Broadway production. And they bring an impressive athleticism to the numerous dance numbers, including an eye-popping sequence featuring the high-stepping men clad in snorkels and flippers.

This production of “Mamma Mia!” is by no means a bomb, but there are far better ones out there.

‘Mamma Mia!’

When: Through Sunday
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis
Tickets: $169-$49 via hennepintheatretrust.org
Capsule: This “Mamma Mia!” gets to be too much

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