AUNTIE MAME ~ Starring Charles Busch & Max von Essen

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/7/04 at 10:54am

Last Saturday night, I had the good fortune to see Auntie Mame at the John Lane Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine.
The reviews had not been particularly glowing, due to problems stemming from an abundance of technical difficulties. The sets arrived the day before opening and of course, the critics were right there for the first show. It's hard to focus on your performance when sets are not secure, props are missing and scene changes take forever.
By Wednesday, they had worked through these problems and the show had come together beautifully. Max was so proud of Charles and the rest of the cast. He said, I WOULD LOVE THIS PRODUCTION, and of course he was right.
The story has more than 40 characters, all being skillfully portrayed by 11 very talented actors. Max plays adult Patrick, while he cleverly handles 4 other smaller roles. Max has become such a fine actor that his Patrick actually pissed me off!!! How *DARE* he talk to his Auntie Mame that way?
I just adored Charles Busch's Auntie Mame and I could not imagine anyone else playing the role but her, I mean him! The costumes and the wigs border on the outrageous, some breathtaking while others are, “OH MY GOD!!!”
Plus, you’ll be glad to know that Max's characters range from schoolboy-handsome, to drop-dead gorgeous. Which reminds me; there’s a scene, early in Act I that is bound to be discussed... for months!

There are performances tonight through Saturday, July 10th at the John Lane Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, Maine www.ogunquitplayhouse.org

Also, July 14th ~ August 1st at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY www.baystreet.org/mainstage.asp



maxvonessen.com

[Phantom2]

Posted: 7/7/04 at 11:40am

Cheryl- Thanks for the review. Sounds like Max's performance would make me go, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" HAHA Did you happen to take any pictures of our little Patrick?

Updated On: 7/7/04 at 11:40 AM

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/7/04 at 12:01pm

Sorry P2, no pictures but we'll make sure that we take some in Sag Harbor.

I have a better idea ~ I think you should be there to remind us!!!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 7/7/04 at 11:35pm

Cheryl- PM me with directions!!!!!!!!!!

PS You did an excellent job on Max's website.

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 12:18am

A few people have asked about directions and public transportation, so if Rob doesn't mind, I'll post them right here ~
The Bay Street Theatre website has a Link to the Long Island RailRoad and a Link to the Hampton Jitney which travels between NYC and Montauk, LI.
I have it on very good authority, that the Sag Harbor Jitney Stop is only a half a block from the Bay Street Theatre.

http://www.baystreet.org/content/directions.asp

http://www.baystreet.org/content/directions.asp>http://www.baystreet.org/content/directions.asp

target=new HREF=http://www.hamptonjitney.com/
http://www.hamptonjitney.com/>http://www.hamptonjitney.com/
target=new HREF=http://www.hamptonjitney.com/tripinfo1.htm

http://www.hamptonjitney.com/>http://www.hamptonjitney.com/tripinfo1.htm

target=new HREF=http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/lirr/

PS~>http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/lirr/>http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/lirr/

PS~ I'm glad you like the new website. I like it too!
A lot of work, a lot of fun, a lot of help!!!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 12:22am

Cheryl- You are the best!!
Those pictures of Max shirtless are better than porn! HAHA

Updated On: 7/8/04 at 12:22 AM

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:33am

The verdict is in ~ YOU ARE INCORRIGIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

=o)

[SammyGal]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:36am

I would be there TOMORROW if I didn't live in NY! I can't go to Maine but I LOVE max and I LOVE Charles. DAMMIT.
Bootleg anyone?!
I'm so happy for them<333

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 2:54am

You don't have to go to Maine, AUNTIE MAME opens in Sag Harbor, New York next Wednesday, July 14th


Bay Street Theatre

[BalletGirl85]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 3:19am

I did a show at the Ogunquit last summer and I'm dyiiiiiiiing to get up to Maine to see this show!!! It'll probably be easier for me to go to Sag Harbor though. Is it the same cast?

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 3:35am

Yes, same cast, same director.

[SammyGal]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 3:51am

then I can totally see it here! omg that's great! THANKS!

[gencamera]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 9:26am

What a great review!

Hope to be able to see the show while it is here on Long Island.

Great job on the website also!

Love the photos!!

Genevieve

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 11:14am

I'm not surprised that you like the photos on Max's website ~ we did “borrow” quite a few of them from YOU!

And (as I said to Nona last night) I’m glad you enjoyed the review... but the play and the creative people involved shine brighter than anything I could ever find the words for.

Cheryl

Updated On: 7/9/04 at 11:14 AM

[DBillyP]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 2:28pm

Kudos on the website! It looks great!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 6:56pm

Max is the cat's meow.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 6:57pm

meeeeeeeeowwwwwwwwwwww

[The Goat]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 9:22pm

Charles Busch as Auntie Mame sounds like dream casting! I've booked, and am slogging in from Pennsylvania to see this thing--the matinee on Wednesday, July 21st. It will be worth an "up at 5am, back at midnight" daytrip, I'm certain. Will anyone else be there?
By the way, thanks to CherylA928 for the theatre and bus email addresses.

[Cyndy]

Posted: 7/10/04 at 3:48pm

I'm looking forward to seeing Penny Fuller in this show as well (Charles and Max are a given with me!! ) I saw her in a production of The Elephant Man many a moon ago. Loved her in it! That show was my college days obsession. Cheryl, who does she play in Auntie Mame? How is she in the show? Two more days till we're on a plane to NY and Sag Harbor...can't wait! Is anyone else going to be in Sag Harbor this next week for the show?

[CherylA928]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 12:56pm

Penny Fuller plays Vera Charles, grand lady of the theater and Mame Dennis’ best friend. In Ms. Fuller’s Who's Who, they note the fact that she won an Emmy for her work in The Elephant Man. Such a lovely lady!

I'll see you in Sag Harbor in a few days




The Bay Street Theatre

Updated On: 7/11/04 at 12:56 PM

[lhokada]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 1:16am

I'm really looking forward to seeing this show - I've heard so many nice things about Charles Busch in this role, can't wait to see Max in all these roles, and to be able to experience my first venture into the Hamptons, with my friends...

Linda