Out Actor Victor Wallace Just Can't Quit 'Mamma Mia!' (And He's Fine With That)

Victor Wallace was in the cast of "Mamma Mia!" in 2015 when it closed on Broadway after a 14-year run and 5,773 performances. He was playing Sam Carmichael, one of the three men that Sophie Sheridan contacts to attend her wedding in hopes of identifying her real dad. Wallace is reprising the role in the musical's current touring production, which runs through Sunday at Citizen Bank Opera House in Boston. After this run, the tour heads out to 30 more cities through next June. (Click here for a complete list of tour dates.)

His current gig with the musical is the latest chapter in his long relationship with "Mamma Mia!" In fact, it could be said that Wallace has grown to middle age with the show, having first appeared as Sophie's 20-something fiancé Sky in 2002 in a national tour. He would return to the show in Las Vegas in 2008 on two occasions, first reprising the role of Sky, then as Sam, the role he would play in his Broadway debut. Between appearing in "Mamma Mia!," Victor has appeared in "The Phantom of the Opera," in which he played Buquet and understudied the title role; "Les Misérables," where he played the student firebrand Enjolras; and "Fun Home" (amongst others).

The out actor speaks to EDGE about how he just can't quit "Mamma Mia!," as well as what has made the show a sell-out on this tour, and his message for the LGBTQ community.
Introduction by Robert Nesti

EDGE: Could you give us a quick introduction?

Victor Wallace: I have difficulty discussing myself, but I will do my best. I am an actor-singer. I've been in theater ever since I can remember, doing it as a child. I have always loved performing on the stage. I didn't work professionally as a child, but I've always known I loved doing it, and eventually I decided to make a career of it.

EDGE: When was your first "Mamma Mia!" experience?

Victor Wallace: I have such a long history with this show. I closed the show on Broadway back in 2015. At the time, I thought that was the end of my "Mamma Mia!" journey, which was already a huge journey. It is crazy that this show is having a renaissance and coming back, and I am very excited to be a part of it again.

EDGE: "Mamma Mia!" is a phenomenon. What is it like being a part of the 25th anniversary tour?

Victor Wallace: I love it because the audience gets to see where the original version of this production started. The show's been around for 25 years, and it has such a fan base that keeps growing, and I think that's due to the movie franchise. So, a whole new generation loves "Mamma Mia!" and knows all the lyrics to ABBA's songs, which is crazy. Again, my journey with the show started in 2002, and I was playing Sky, the young ingenue marrying Sophie.