‘Mame’
opens with strong cast, plot
By Kari Schneider
On-line Forty-Niner
Humor,
a superb cast, a great story line and fabulous
music make a perfect mix for “Mame”, which
opened Saturday night at the Carpenter Performing
Arts Center.
The musical began with Sally Struthers,
playing Agnes Gooch, and Jakie Batinga,
playing young Patrick, in New York in 1928.
After Patrick’s father dies suddenly, Agnes
must deliver Patrick to his only living
relative, his sister Mame, played by Carol
Lawrence.
Struthers starts off with an important role
as Patrick’s nanny, in charge of delivering
him to Mame safely, but fades into the background
under unusual circumstances.
In my opinion, it is one of the weaknesses
of the musical. I never knew what to expect
from her character and she usually had nothing
to do with what was going on in the story
line.
Batinga and Lawrence played off each other’s
humor rather well. In several instances,
their quick responses sent a ripple of laughter
through the audience. They instantly become
attached to each other and Mame shows Patrick
a different way to live.
When the Great Depression hits, Mame loses
all her money and tries her hand at several
odd jobs. She receives a part in a play
from her consistently drunken, yet best
friend, Vera, played by Ruth Williamson.
Williamson did a fantastic job pretending
to be drunk throughout the musical. Both
Mame and Vera are funny together.
Mame gets the part of the “moon lady” in
a play within a play, which she ruins by
falling off the moon. Shakespeare often
added humor by having a play within a play.
She meets Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside,
played by Perry Stephens, as she tries to
be a manicurist. Burnside is a rich, southern
man that owns a plantation.
Burnside falls in love with Mame and invites
her and Patrick to meet his family. Mame
shows up to meet his dull family in a bright
orange, southern belle gown. Burnside is
so infatuated with Mame that he does not
pay any attention to his family’s reaction.
The first act was aimed at developing the
relationship between Mame and Patrick, while
the second act focused on the struggle between
the two, as Patrick had become an adult.
He aged from 10 to 20 years old in roughly
five minutes. The switch was done humorously
with young Patrick talking about the beginnings
of facial hair and older Patrick, played
by Mark Smith, coming in talking about shaving.
Mame puts together a hideous engagement
party for Patrick and his bride-to-be, Gloria
Upson, played by Melissa Walters.
Gloria is from a simple family that frowns
upon Mame’s lifestyle. Instead of marrying
Gloria, Patrick marries Pegeen Ryan, the
interior decorator Mame hired for the engagement
party. Ryan was played by Anne Valeria Walsh.
In the end, the year is 1946 and Patrick
sends his 10-year-old son Peter off on a
foreign vacation with Mame.
This musical has characteristics that make
it enjoyable for anyone to watch. From old
to young, “Mame” captures the entire audience
with twists and turns that keep them guessing.
This performance marks the 50th anniversary
of Musical Theater West. “Mame” will run
until Nov. 17 with shows Thursday through
Sunday. Students can call (562) 430-2324
for show times and ticket information.
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