Topic Mame in D.C. from the Theatre Chat forum.
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| Author | Topic: Mame in D.C. |
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 SingOutAnnie
Registered User
Registered:
8/23/2003
From:
Bradenton/Sarasota, FLA | posted: 4/28/2006 at 11:34:34 AM ET
For fellow DC area theatergoers:
Mame
May 27 - Jul 2, 2006
Eisenhower Theater
Tickets: $25.00 - $90.00
NEW DATES! (originally scheduled for Feb. & Mar. performances)
All-New Kennedy Center Production of the Classic American Musical
Starring CHRISTINE BARANSKI
http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=TGTSB
|  Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 4/28/2006 at 11:52:07 AM ET
I actually bought tickets for 2 separate performances to this Mame. (I learned my lesson the hard way during the 2002 Sondheim festival at the Kennedy Center when I decided I wanted to see one of the plays again but couldn't find a ticket for when I could go.)
|  Mandy
Registered User
Registered:
8/14/2003 | posted: 6/17/2006 at 8:38:35 AM ET
Off to see the matinee of Mame today at the Kennedy Center! Has anyone else gone yet? I know a few others have tickets as well.
"Let's admit one thing right upfront: With the possible exception of Bernadette Peters, not everyone stays young and cute forever." (NYPost 2/2/05)
|  Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 6/17/2006 at 8:44:32 AM ET
Vicki and I are going tonight! I'm listening to the OCR now to prepare. I SIMPLY CAN'T WAIT! I'm anticipating what it will be like and if it is worthy of transferring to Broadway. There is plenty of buzz for it, that's for sure. It has only been revived once - and that was by its original star (Angela Lansbury, against her better judgment)and it didn't do well. It's old school book and music, but the OCR is thrilling.
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 6/17/2006 at 8:50:34 AM ET
Tomorrow for me--SR and PAFan, I wish I had known you would be in the area, we could have had a mini-Fanadette bash!
(Oh Mandy, if you're going to be around East Capitol Street, there is a baseball game this afternoon at RFK Stadium, best to leave a little early.)
|  Christine-NYC
Registered User
Registered:
3/23/2002
From:
New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 6/17/2006 at 3:10:14 PM ET
I wish I could go, but it's sold out. I will be in DC their closing weekend. I might try seeing if there are any cancelations once I'm there.
<3CMH<3
| Mandy
Registered User
Registered:
8/14/2003 | posted: 6/17/2006 at 8:36:26 PM ET
Got back a little while ago. I really enjoyed the show. I am embarassed to say I knew nothing of the plot or the songs prior to the show. To me, Baranski seemed very comfortable in the role....I didn't think she seemed stiff as previous reviews stated. I had some trouble hearing her over the orchestra at times. I also noticed that Baranski and Harriet Harris (Vera) both seemed to be losing/gaining accents throughout the show. Harris sometimes seemed to channel "Mrs. Meers" and at other times an irish accent creeped in for some reason.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at the Kennedy Center (especially after my horrendous morning which involved being stuck on I-95, needing a tow truck, and having to borrow a car to get myself to DC!)
"Let's admit one thing right upfront: With the possible exception of Bernadette Peters, not everyone stays young and cute forever." (NYPost 2/2/05)
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 6/17/2006 at 9:42:11 PM ET
So glad to hear your (mostly) positive response. I've been wishing this production well.
Hope your car will recover!
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 6/18/2006 at 8:41:52 AM ET
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SHOW! I watched the Ros Russell movie "Auntie Mame" a million times so I knew the story (plus I had seen the Lucy Ball movie musical version - blech - which I saw before I owned the OCR and have seen again since). I love the OCR - everybody knows that I'm an Angela fan, but honestly that fanatacism grew from seeing her at Wall to Wall Sondheim and the dvd of Sweeney Todd, not MAME. I am going to blog on and on about the show later when I get home but for now here are my thoughts. We were in the last row of the balcony almost all the way house right. Perhaps there was a sound problem at the matinee because it wasn't apparent at the 7:30 show. I didn't notice any accent problem - "Vera Charles" is supposed to be of the 1920s overdramatic theatrical type and is often "drunk" so maybe that's what was going on with that. Harriet Harris kind of acts that way whether on Frazier or some other diva-ish role. Trying not to make comparisons to the 1966 original version of MAME (I have only seen clips and pictures)(yes I have seen the 1983 revival), I will say that although there were some differences, it is one of the best "old-school" musicals I have ever seen. It has a great book - funny and poignant - and I believe there is relevance for today - liberalism vs. conservativism. The chorus and dancing was great. Christine Baranski definitely commanded the stage. When I am dreaming about being a producer and casting this show, I always dream that Bernadette would be MAME and I have actually thought of Christine in the Vera Charles role because she has proven herself to be a great "sidekick"...and I still think Bernadette would fabulous, but I was not in the least bit disappointed by Christine - she is a leading lady.
I was crying and laughing and it was one of the most enthusiastic audiences I've had the chance to be in - laughing loudly, applauding and "bravas" throughout - there were even people singing along by us - and yes, I know the words too but only joined in here and there. I asked Christine at the stage door if it is true about the show moving to Broadway (see www.broadwayworld.com) and she said, "Well we really don't know because it is so expensive to move". It is time for a revival and this production is the one to do it!
I wish I was going again today.
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 6/18/2006 at 10:45:25 AM ET
Good to hear. Have you been to the Kennedy Center before?
I'm glad that the sound problem may have been cleared up. I know one of the complaints about Wicked was the sound, but it was at the Opera House and may not have been the best venue for the show (very big-it's where the KC Honors are held). Mame is at the Eisenhower, which is smaller.
Washington audiences are great! Also good to hear.
Jenn
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 6/18/2006 at 2:41:49 PM ET
It was my first time at the Kennedy Center - what a facility that place is! I watch the Kennedy Center Honors every year without fail so I was excited to be in the building. We had dinner there and looked around at everything. Every theatre had something going on in it. I hope to go back and see something in the opera house - they are doing Little Women in there? WHY? I guess they hope to pack in the joint with little girls. Anyway...
I wish I was at MAME right now. I'm interested to hear what Jean will say.
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 6/18/2006 at 4:05:26 PM ET
quote:
Every theatre had something going on in it. I hope to go back and see something in the opera house - they are doing Little Women in there? WHY? I guess they hope to pack in the joint with little girls. Anyway...
I don't know if you're into ballet, but the Opera House is where a lot of the ballet is performed-touring companies (Bolshoi, etc) and Suzanne Farrell's company (Washington Ballet doesn't perform at KC.). There's also modern dance performances, but I don't know where those are.
An opera based on Sophie's Choice will be there-U.S. premiere-September through October. I think there's another opera before that, but it's a touring company. The Washington National Opera is performing Sophie's Choice.
Christine and Brian Stokes Mitchell are going to do a Sweeney Todd reunion concert next summer at KC-that might be something you're interested in as well. I don't know if it will be at the Opera House, but I know it's at the Kennedy Center.
DC has other great theatres, too. I'm looking forward to Eric Schaeffer's Into the Woods production at the Signature (not technically in DC-in Arlington, about five minutes from DC) in January (they're doing Assassins now, but Schaeffer did not direct).
If you're in the DC area again and want to see theatre, check this place to see if the show has discounted tickets available. Not for the ones that are going like gangbusters, but there might be something there that interests you, if you have additional time.
(And let me know, because I'll probably be in VA the next time you are available to go!)
How was the train ride? Did you eat at the Roof Terrace restaurant (their brunch is yummy)? Am I asking too many questions? 
quotes from JFK (hold down the mouse and move to see the others)
The KC is a great living memorial to John F. Kennedy, just as much as the Eternal Flame. With the variety of programs, from opera to events for children, and great outreach programs, I think it encompasses his outlook on the arts very nicely.
Jenn
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 6/19/2006 at 11:52:55 AM ET
Jenn, I'll be blogging eventually about the great weekend. Stand by.
Meanwhile, Jean,where are you? What did you think?
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 6/19/2006 at 1:56:32 PM ET
I had a perfectly swell time, I was transported for 3 (yes, 3) hours to another world, and isn't that what theater is all about?
(And, if I can't have John Dossett, Jeff McCarthy ain't bad!)
Emily Skinner seems to be carving out a nice career as a character actress these days-what a perfect part Gooch is for her.
Baranski is a lovely comedienne/actress, agile dancer, pretty good selling the songs although perhaps needs a bit more belt (cough..what did I just say? I don't even know what that means...).
Costumes, scenery (oh that fabulous staricase), lighting, choreography all first-rate, with excellant dancers/singers. Max Von Essen and Ruth Gottschalt in small roles, but this show is very deep in casting the small roles well.
And, I get to see it again, next time not directly behind the conducter.
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 6/19/2006 at 2:17:26 PM ET
Nice nice nice!
Jean - did you see the 1966 original or the 1983 revival?
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 6/19/2006 at 5:18:10 PM ET
No, I didn't see either. I did see a touring production in Baltimore, probably before 1975. I also saw a pretty good--for what it was--production this past February.
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