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Watching a PHAMALy production is always a joy, and it isnât letting audiences down this season with its production, Mame.
The Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League makes happy shows even happier. The company put on a phenomenal version of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying two years ago. This year, with the help of extremely talented actors and production staff, Mame rules. The companyâs attitude echoes one of Mameâs mission statements: ãLive! Live! Live!ä
The story, which is set in the Great Depression era, is about young Patrick, who is sent to stay with his Aunt Mame when his parents die. His nanny, Agnes Gooch, is with him when they burst in on one of Mameâs crazy parties. Mame and Patrick immediately develop a bond. Mame avoids subjects such as the boarding-school ideas of Patrickâs late father. Mame teaches him about painting, dance and fire fighting, and finally enrolls him in a nudist school.
The Depression hits Mame hard, and Patrick is forced to go to boarding school, where he meets a woman who may be ãthe one.ä But Mame doesnât think she is right for her Patrick after meeting her family, who matches their wardrobe to the red-and-white-checkered picnic tablecloth.
The companyâs acting and singing was exemplary. Standouts include Jeremy Palmer, who played the young Patrick and wowed the audience with his mature acting and singing. Kathleen Traylor, who played a funny and exciting Mame, held her own with her beautiful voice. She had difficult songs and belting some of those notes sitting in her wheelchair could not have been an easy task.
Those familiar with Mame will know the character of Gooch is fun to watch as she whines her way through the play. Linda Wirth is no disappointment in the role as a lot of laughter is generated by her excellent would-you-like-some-cheese-with-your-whine attitude.
Another hilarious performer is Lucy Roucis as Mameâs best friend, Vera. Her delivery is superior to that of most actors in Denver, and it nearly made the show at times. Itâs difficult to do her justice in print.
When Vera wakes up in the afternoon with a hangover from the previous night and notices her rumpled clothes, she offered a different perspective of how her clothes got that way.
ãSomebodyâs been sleeping in my dress,ä she says. |
