Magnificent musical "MAME" at Little Theatre of Manchester

Don’t let their name fool you. The Little Theatre of Manchester has put together one great big beautiful production of that perennial favorite, the musical “Mame.”
First produced on Broadway in 1966, the multiple Tony Award winning musical spans the era from the Great Depression onwards.
Set in New York, it is about a well-to-do, eccentric, bohemian Mame Dennis whose life is interrupted when her nephew, whose parents have both died, comes to live with her.
The music has many memorable tunes, such as its namesake, “Mame,” as well as “We Need a Little Christmas,” and “Bosom Buddies,” all of which are well sung, and led throughout by a fine, full orchestra.
The cast is first rate. Marge Patefield plays Mame, in a role that seems to have been created just for her. Patefield even looks strikingly like Angela Lansbury who first played the part on Broadway.
Mame’s scenes with her friend and actress, Vera Charles, played to the hilt by Jayne Newirth, are a delight to behold.
The young Patrick Dennis’s part is played to perfection by Jeremy Clavette, a seventh grade student at Tolland Middle School, who keeps up with the adults in the complex choreography, and whose clarion singing voice is a joy to hear.
Some of the more memorable numbers were “The Man in the Moon” scene, with one terrific, and sturdily constructed moon for Mame to hang onto for dear life. It was controlled chaos at its best.
The only technical glitch came from a couple of the cordless microphones the lead’s wore to be heard clearly over the orchestra.
When Beauregard Burnside, played with southern charm and chivalry by John Michael Whitney, was singing his big number, the microphone stopped functioning.
The choreography, created by director Sheila Waters Fucci, is simply incredible. The featured dance numbers, of which there were many, were timed to perfection and carried off with style and finesse. Fucci has a background in dance, and it shows, to the benefit of all.
Clearly no expense was spared on the elaborate and numerous costumes, designed by Brenda Fraiser, including a pink southern bell hoop skirt Mame wears for only minutes, but must have taken many hours to create.
Do yourself a favor and make sure you go see this life-affirming, magnificent production of “Mame.”


Mame

Three and ½ Stars

Location: Little Theatre of Manchester, Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester

Production: Book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman. Directed and choreographed by Sheila Waters Fucci. Musical director William Pelto. Stage manager, Tom Goodin. Lighting design by Jared R. Towler. Costume design by Brenda Frasier. Sound design by Connecticut Audio & Theatrical Supply. Properties by Jennifer Lysomirski.

Running time: 3 hours, with one intermission

Show Times: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. through Nov. 18.

Tickets: $21 - $28. Call the box office at 647-9824, or visit their Web site at www.cheneyhall.org

ACTOR...CHARACTER
Marge Patefield...Mame Dennis
Jayne Newirth...Vera Charles and mother Burnside
Mary deManbey...Agnes Gooch, Sally Cato and ensemble
Jeremy Clavette...Patrick Dennis (age 10), and Peter Dennis
John Michael Whitney...Beauregard Burnside and ensemble
David Addis...Older Patrick Dennis
Keith Giard...Ralph Devine, leading man, elevator operator, and ensemble
Doug Stoyer...M. Lindsey Woolsey and ensemble
Todd Santa Maria...Ito
Carol Hewey...Mrs. Upson and ensemble
Samuel Green...Uncle Jeff, Mr. Upson, and ensemble
Lisa Garofalo...Gloria Upson and ensemble
Pierre Marteney...Doorman and ensemble
Mal Matthews...Artist, Messenger, and ensemble
Ed Burke...Dwight Babcock
Candice Anglin...Art model and ensemble
Patricia Covino...Dance teacher and ensemble
Chris Rataic...Stage manager and ensemble
Denise Gagne...Mme. Branislowski, Cousin Ivy, and ensemble
Robbie Siemon...Gregor, Junior Babcock, and ensemble
Jenna Levitt...Cousin Fan
Katie Goodin...Pegeen Ryan
Mike Donnelly...Bishop and ensemble
Marguerite Kelly, Pam Thomas, Michelle Hong...Ensemble
Marguerite Kelly, Lisa Garofalo, Michelle Hong, Todd Santa Maria, David Addis, Robbie Siemon, John Michael Whitney...Featured dancers