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Mame
At
Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace
(Drury Lane Theatre Website)
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
630.530.8300
October 9, 2008 – December 21, 2008
Book by: Jerome Lawrence, Jerry Herman
Music and Lyrics: Robert E. Lee
Based on the novel by Patrick Dennis
And based on the play Auntie Mame by Lawrence and Lee
Director: William Osetek
Producer: Kyle DeSantis, Drew DeSantis
Artistic Director: William Osetek
Associate Producer: Gary Griffin
Choreography: Kenny Ingram
Music Direction: Ben Johnson
Scenic Design: Brian Sidney Bembridge
Lighting Design: Jesse Klug
Costume Design: Tatjana Radisic
Props Design: D.J. Reed
Stage Management: Thomas Joyce
Flying Effects: Hall Associate Flying Effects of Nully Enterprises, Inc.
Press Representation: Kate Hughes,
Lianne Wiker of Noreen Heron & Associates, Inc.
Starring:
Barbara Robertson, Liam Byrnes, Kelly Cronin, Alene Robertson, Joey Stone, Michael Ehlers, Ghuon “Max” Chung, Jeff Kuhl, Kelly Anne Clark, David Kortemeier, Karl Hamilton, Jacquelyn Ritz, Marilynn Bogetich, Ryan Reilly, Jarret Ditch, Mary Robin Roth, Frederic Stone, Danielle Plisz, Anne Acker, Derek Rippe, Alyssa Ditch, Jastine Dumlao, Michael Glazer, Kent Haina, Tammy Mader, Galen Murphy-Hoffman
Drury Lane Orchestra:
Ben Johnson, John Kornegay, Dominic Trumfio, Marty Tilton,
Josh Jera, Art Linsner, Jim Gailloreto, Scott Rosenthal,
Jeff Thomas, Carey Deadman
Susan Weinrebe
October 16, 2008
Are you hungry? Come and eat at the smorgasbord of life with Mame! Set against a glamorous New York skyline, with over the top fashion interiors and immense references to the paintings of Tamara de Lempicka, the most wonderful auntie a boy could want, Mame Dennis, lights up the latest Drury Lane song and dance production.
Wearing a smile as big as the Ritz and as bright as a diamond, Barbara Robertson dazzles as Auntie Mame. Her willowy figure and long legs are the perfect hangers for her dramatic wardrobe, that accentuates the bohemian quality of her personality. Coming from a wealthy background, with a stint in theater thrown in, Mame Dennis is someone who lives to love people and savor new experiences. For her, the glass is always half full, and its contents is champagne!
When her orphaned, ten-year-old nephew, Patrick, comes to live with her, Mame brings art, creativity, tolerance, and exuberance into his life. Liam Byrnes, the young Patrick, is a natural. Utterly professional, his diction and singing blessedly lack that childish screamy twang one hears from so many young actors. He carries his weight as the innocent foil to his overpowering guardian and is a delightful presence in his own right.
The story of Mame and her little boy progresses, from the Art Deco years, to the Depression, to the Fifties, and the valiant Mame comes out on top, despite all the adversity. The supporting cast stands on its own, with Mame’s old friend, Vera Charles, played by Alene Robertson, a thespian, egotist, and drunk, all but stealing the show with her antics and comic timing. One scene, of brilliant ensemble physical comedy brought the house down with laughter. Mame, an extra in one of Vera’s shows, fell off a prop and became hopelessly entangled in her friend’s costume, as Vera struggled to kick her off and to keep her act going, all at once.
Mother Burnside (Marilynn Bogetich), the venomous and irascible doyenne of southern womanhood and Mame’s new mother-in-law, wickedly captured the gestures of a grumpy and spoiled old woman, from her gum line to her posture. Jacquelyn Ritz as Sally Cato, the luscious girlfriend left behind by her beau, Mame’s new husband, engineered what she hoped would be Mame’s downfall. Ritz’ characterization of a conniving belle left the audience howling at her exit line.
Backed by an excellent troupe of dancers and singers, who brought scope to the stage, Mame is a joyous tale of love and making good, better, best of whatever life brings.
Barbara Robertson, as “Auntie Mame”, in MAME
at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace
Courtesy of Johnny Knight
Kelly Clark, Barbara Robertson, Liam Byrnes, Jacqueline Ritz,
David Kortemeier and Karl Hamilton, in MAME
at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace
Courtesy of Johnny Knight
Kelly Cronin, Barbara Robertson, Liam Byrnes, in MAME
at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace
Courtesy of Johnny Knight
Lianne, Brenna, and Noreen
Welcome Guests to Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace
Courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Theatre Lobby at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace
Courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
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