Mamma Mia’s Jalynn Steele Shares the Playlist That ’’Gets Her Hyped’’

Mamma Mia!, how can we resist you? For the first time in a decade, the popular jukebox musical set to the music of ABBA is back on Broadway, returning to its original home at the Winter Garden Theatre through February 1.

For Jalynn Steele, the revival of Mamma Mia! means the opportunity to be the first Black woman to play the character of Tanya on Broadway. In the fan-favorite role — made most famous by Christine Baranski in the 2008 movie musical — The Lightning Thief alum gets the spotlight on some of the show’s most beloved numbers, including “Does Your Mother Know,” “Super Trouper” and, of course, “Dancing Queen.”

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“Being the first full-time Black Tanya on Broadway, I am reminded of the platform I have, especially in these times,” Steele tells Ticketmaster. “Representation is important in a world where you may not be celebrated, so some days you have to celebrate yourself!”

That palpable sense of joy also runs through the pre-show playlist the actor shared exclusively with Ticketmaster, which includes songs by greats like Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald and Beyoncé. “I’m creating this playlist from the several playlists I have in rotation,” she says. “Each day I come into the city, the theater, and the dressing room is different. And with music being such a big part of my life, each playlist is different. This particular playlist I made features a favorite song from the myriad of mixes I jam to daily.”

Below, dive into Steele’s dressing room playlist, which also includes picks from the likes of Samara Joy, Anderson .Paak and the mysterious collective SAULT.

1. Samara Joy – “No More Blues”

When I first moved to New York City, my roommate Maggie Wilhite introduced me to the Jane Monheit version of this song, and I fell in love with the lyrics and its composition. The Samara Joy version is even more incredible because her vocal gymnastics in it are awe-inspiring. It’s also a great vocal warm-up, and I can’t help but groove to it. It’s on my Joy playlist, also featuring “Flor de Lis (Upside Down)” and “Sweet Pumpkin” with Pasquale Grasso.

2. Laura Mvula – “Phenomenal Woman”

The lyrics and the way Laura belts in this song make me proud to be a Black woman. This song gets me hyped and ready to let the audience have it. Being the first full-time Black Tanya on Broadway, I am reminded of the platform I have, especially in these times. Representation is important in a world where you may not be celebrated, so some days you have to celebrate yourself! This song does that for me. It’s on my All The Girls playlist along with “Mr. President” by Janelle Monáe and “Peppers and Onions” by Tierra Whack.

3. Stevie Wonder – “As”

I was on the non-equity tour of Fosse, and I would blast this in the dressing room before our shows. By the end of the tour, my entire cast knew the words to this song. Stevie is a classic and a musical genius, and this song just gets you going. It’s on my Stevieland playlist along with “Golden Lady” and “Send One Your Love.”
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4. Brian Courtney Wilson – “A Great Work”

When I feel low and rundown, when it seems there is no end to the insanity being hurled my way, when (as Mom would say) the going is getting tough, I turn to my faith and this song. I grew up in church — first sang in church — my father was a pastor and we were very involved in Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Texas City, Texas. We were there all the time — so much so, I took a break from it the first chance I got. But I came running back when I needed to find a level of truth and love in humanity again.

Because of our schedule, I don’t get to attend and worship in my church services these days, so I bring church to my dressing room. It’s my gospel playlist called Motivational Devotional, and it features nothing but worship songs. I blast this one before our 1:00 p.m. matinees and sing along with The Clark Sisters’ “You Brought The Sunshine” and “Encourage Yourself – Live” by Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers.

5. Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald – “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) – Live at Cote D’Azur, France, 7/29/1966”

I love jazz music. I love it so much that I [gave] my sister [the nickname] Jazlynn. And this song is just fun improvisational jazz in six minutes and nine seconds. It just makes me feel good, I can’t help but bop to it. The scats in this song are incredible and another good warmup before the show. Fun fact: Jaz and I once sang this whole song during a blackout, horn solos and all. It’s a favorite on my Jazzy Sunday playlist along with Louis Armstrong’s “Gone Fishin’” with Bing Crosby and Louis Prima’s “Pennies From Heaven.”

6. SAULT – “No Bull—-t”

Jaz and I share this one, too. She is a DJ and she’s always putting me on to good music. This group is shrouded in mystery as far as its members. They mix R&B, funk, soul, pop, gospel, house and disco. Though the beat is light and jaunty, it has a resilient message of not putting up with B.S., which seems to be everywhere these days. I blast this playlist when I feel injustices near or just feel like being a little bit of a rebel. This one is featured on my Sault of the Earth playlist along with “Why Why Why Why Why” and “Street Fighter.”

7. Chronixx – “I Can”

My husband Rondell actually introduced me to this artist from Jamaica, [a] laid-back Rasta who is very conscious in his writing. This song appeals to my sense of gratefulness. It’s all about perspective, and I’m definitely a “glass half full” kind of gal and thankful for it. Though I don’t recommend staring at the sun directly (as instructed in the lyrics), I do recommend throwing your hands in the air. This is on my Island Love playlist along with “Raggamuffin” by Original Koffee and “Essence” by Wizkid featuring Tems.

8. Anderson .Paak feat. Kendrick Lamar – “Tints”

I’m not one who keeps up with the new rap and trap music, so my New Rap playlist has hip-hop that actually has an old-school feel to it along with older rap songs. (Cue the grandma emoji!) This song makes me want to skate even though I’m terrible at it. I like to play this song when I miss the Cali sunshine during dreary East Coast days. Funny enough, it’s on the same mix along with Drake’s “Get It Together” featuring Black Coffee & Jorja Smith and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar.

9. Billy Porter – “Last Midnight (From ‘Into the Woods’) – Live”

I’m not sure I should admit this, but I am declaratively the least musical theater person in musical theater. When people ask me what song is in what show or which actor played which role in whatever, I am not well-versed. A lot of times, I have to go back and read information from the shows I’ve already done. All that to say, I actually do have a musical theater playlist called Musical Madness. This song is my favorite to sing along with for a dramatic vocal warm-up as well. As a mezzo/alto, I love to sing it in this key along with “Wait for It” from Hamilton and “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park with George.

10. Beyoncé – Medley

It was impossible for me to choose one song from my all-Beyoncé playlist. She’s a hard-working performer who I sometimes emulate while singing “Dancing Queen” and “Does Your Mother Know.” I put the BeyBey playlist on when I’m trying to get hyped for a five-show weekend. Those days are long and hard, so I need to hear someone who knows what that means to rock out some inspiration. This list includes so many, but here are the top few: “Get Me Bodied,” “Run the World (Girls),” “YA YA,” “MOVE” featuring Grace Jones and Tems, “SUMMER RENAISSANCE,” “BLACK PARADE” and “II Hands II Heaven.” I can’t pick just one… please don’t make me do it!

Grab tickets to Mamma Mia! via Ticketmaster.