There's reason to hope the Landmark Theater will soon have new management. Under the current regime, Richmond is being treated to "Mamma Mia!" for the third time in five years.

A middling show at best, "Mamma Mia!" definitely does not hold up under multiple viewings -- unless, of course, you are a die-hard fan of ABBA, the Swedish pop group of the'70s.

Catherine Johnson crafted a plot on which she could hang 22 ABBA songs. The musical opened in London in 1999 and on Broadway in 2001, and it's still running in both places.

The story is written as an excuse to use specific ABBA songs -- they don't really advance the action; they just have the right lyrics to underscore what's going on.

Phyllida Law directed the touring production with a sense of fun, but its repetitiveness and lack of invention are enervating. There's no bit of business too gross to be overdone, or to be done over and over -- the hip thrusts, the head banging, the high fives.

If a number is funny because all the dancers are in wet suits, why not do a second number in which all the dancers are in snorkeling gear? Choreographer Anthony van Laast recycles the same dance moves ad infinitum.

As so often happens at the Landmark, the volume is earsplitting. It's like being in a restaurant without carpets or drapes -- someone thinks that if it's loud enough, people will believe they're having fun.

The set and costumes are exactly those we saw the last time around -- reasonably attractive, but nothing new.

What's good about "Mamma Mia!"? Annie Edgerton is a spitfire as Donna Sheridan, owner of a Greek island hotel and mother of Sophie, who's about to get married. Sean Allan Krill is magnetic as Sam, one of three old lovers who could be Sophie's father. Christine Sherrill and Allison Briner bring the nice alto voices needed for ABBA songs to the roles of Donna's pals and former bandmates.

You're in trouble, though, when the curtain call is better than the show.

"Mamma Mia!" saves its flashiest costumes and lighting for a couple of last-minute reprises of ABBA favorites that get audience members on their feet. But hey, they were getting ready to go home anyway. MAMMA MIA! Theater review Where: Landmark Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. When: Through Sunday Tickets: $20-$57 Info: (804) 646-4213