MAME

2007-11-23 20:00:00 - 2007-12-09 14:00:00

Palm Canyon Theatre, the only Actors' Equity Theatre in Coachella Valley, presents the muscial stage production of MAME.

As Mame Dennis said, "Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death." Palm Canyon Theatre continues its' 2007-2008 season with assertive, sassy, popular, and brilliant women with the Tony Award winning musical MAME.

Based on the 1955 novel Auntie Mame, by Patrick Dennis, MAME first came to life as a Broadway play starring the legendary Rosalind Russell, who re-created the role in a highly successful 1958 film version which became an American classic. The original Broadway production opened in May of 1966 earning eight Tony nominations and winning three Tonys, as well as two Theatre World awards. MAME is packed with compelling and memorable tunes by composer lyricist Jerry Herman, including If He Walked Into My Life, Bosom Buddies, and We Need a Little Christmas.

In Mame's world, the glass is always half full. By nature, she consistently beats a path to a vibrant high-style and charismatic life through opening her heart, her ears, her eyes, and her mind to all, and through her demonstrative behavior, positively influences all of those around her. As each others' only surviving relative, Mame and her very young nephew Patrick lead each other through Patrick's formulative years. MAME takes us on a rarely somber and frequently hilarious journey through life which includes a bevy of colorful acquaintances, friends and family, while providing a background of surprises and wonderment, and always with a healthy underscoring of integrity.

Palm Canyon Theatre's production includes Pamla Vale Abramson as madcap Mame, Arthur Pembrook as younger Patrick, David Franz as giddy houseboy Ito, Mike Layne as stern Dwight Babcock, Morgana Corelli as lush Vera Charles, Suzie Wourms as innocent Agnes Gooch, Tom Warrick as Beauregard Jackson Burnside, Carrie Hannah as family patriarch Mother Burnside, Bill Clifford as conservative Mr. Upson, Zina Kuhn as doting Mrs. Upson, Crystal Poppell as spoiled Gloria Upson, Erin Itnyre as Pegeen, and Denise Strand as Sally Cato. Included in the cast are equity members David McLaughlin as older Patrick, and Peter Mins as Lindsay Woolsey. MAME is directed by Dr. Bill Layne, with choreography by Se Layne, musical direction by David McLaughlin, and costumes by Derik Shopinski.

Palm Canyon Theatre celebrates its' eleventh year this season with a completely renovated theatre. It is located at 538 North Palm Canyon drive at the corner of Alejo and Palm Canyon Drive, in downtown Palm Springs. Showtimes 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $24-$28, including preview pricing on opening weekend. Box Office Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 760-323-5123, or online.