How to go
What: “Mame”
Where: Loft Theatre of the Metropolitan Arts Center, 126 N. Main St., Dayton
When: Oct. 30-Nov. 23; Wednesday-Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sunday and Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Cost: $17.50-$40. Prices vary depending on performance date. Discounts are also available.
Tickets: Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or go online to www.ticketcenterstage.com or www.humanracetheatre.org.
Following the success of its refreshingly intimate “Fiddler on the Roof” last season, the Human Race Theatre Company offers a similarly reimagined look at Jerry Herman, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s 1966 musical “Mame,” which begins performances Thursday at the Loft Theatre.
Adapted from Lawrence and Lee’s 1956 play “Auntie Mame,” based on the 1955 novel by Patrick Dennis, “Mame” is a comical, tuneful and poignant account spanning three decades centered on effervescent Manhattan socialite Mame Dennis. In 1928, Mame’s zestful, self-absorbed world changes when she becomes the guardian of her 10-year-old nephew Patrick. With boldness, love and vitality, she earnestly encourages the previously sheltered Patrick to “live, live, live” through good times and bad with the assurance that being unconventional doesn’t have to be perceived as negative.
“Mame Dennis simply wants to live life to the fullest,” said Pittsburgh-based actress/director Lisa Ann Goldsmith, who stars as Mame and appeared as Laurel last season in the Race’s “Torch Song Trilogy.” “Mame lives in the moment, which is very different from how many of us live our lives. We don’t have the grace, relaxation or presence to live in the moment. And whatever Mame does is 100 percent genuine. She throws herself into everything with an incredible amount of passion and commitment.”
In an attempt to reassess the musical’s large-scale components, specifically its multiple locales including a Georgia plantation, director/Race producing artistic director Kevin Moore has framed the production as a memory play spotlighting Patrick’s viewpoint. In a nod to the novel, the show opens with Patrick at a typewriter recalling his upbringing.
“Our memories are vivid and sometimes they’re foggy so that’s why I feel it justifies my decision to shift from more realized to less realized staging,” Moore said. “We have to physically limit the surroundings with this show. We’ll be using the aisles as well. In order to tell the story more intimately I knew I had to base it around the book. I needed to have Patrick appear as if he were reliving his story at times. However, Mame is the most vivid element in Patrick’s memory. She never changes. This show has its challenges and specific requirements, but I’ve always liked it and it’s one of my favorite musicals. ‘Mame’ starring Ann Miller was actually one of the first Kenley Players productions I saw.”
Moore’s 19-member cast, particularly featuring an assortment of actors with ties to Wright State University, includes Torie Wiggins as Vera Charles, Leslie Goddard as Agnes Gooch, Race resident artist Jamie Cordes as Beauregard J.P. Burnside, Zack Steele as Patrick, Peanut Edmonson as Young Patrick/Peter, Race resident artist Marya Spring Cordes as Sally Cato, Race resident artist Scott Stoney as Dwight Babcock, Annie Pesch as Ito, Sarah Agar as Cousin Fan, Layan Elwazani as Pegeen Ryan, Michael McCrary as Junior Babcock, Sarah Naughton as Gloria Upson and Robb Willoughby as M. Lindsay Woolsey with multiple roles covered by Sherri L. Sutter, Shavey Brown, Cooper Taggard, Darrin Murrell and Adam Soniak.
Herman’s score includes such gems as “It’s Today,” “Open a New Window,” “My Best Girl,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Bosom Buddies,” “If He Walked Into My Life” and the title tune.
John Faas, a Herman devotee, serves as musical director and will lead a seven-member band. University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music graduate Katie Johannigman provides choreography. In addition, the scenic design, incorporating large postcard backdrops as well as a revolving layout for Mame’s posh Beekman Place apartment, is courtesy of Dick Block (“Fiddler on the Roof,” “Avenue Q”), and costumer Christie Peitzmeier (“Play It by Heart”) supplies stylish period attire.
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