I Remember Mama

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 9:29pm

Did anyone here see the 1979 Broadway production of "I Remember Mama" (though I'm aware that many of you here were not even born yet)? I picked up a cast recording (not OBC) in NYC over the weekend and listening to it right now. I have not heard this since seeing the show in August 1979, but I'm amazed at how much I remember. I really liked the show, which included Broadway veterans Liv Ulmann, George Hearn and George S. Irving, and a pre-90210 Ian Ziering. I remember liking the book by Thomas Meehan and score by Richard Rodgers (his last musical). The set was also very stunning. I was surprised that the show never caught on and closed a few months after it opened.

Anyone like to share what they possibly remember about this show.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 9:30pm

Saw it but remember nothing of it . Sorry

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:42pm

"Saw it but remember nothing of it."

That's par for the course with Roxy.

[LouW95]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:54pm

Martin Charnin did the lyrics and Thomas Meehan the book. I do remember the show was pleasant but did not have that special moment needed to make a musical memorable. Ms. Ullman was attacked from all sides for her "singing" and was replaced by Sally Ann Howes when the score was recorded at a later date, long after the show had closed.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:05am

It was gawdaweful (well, that's my memory of it) but the set WAS amazing. There were several turntables and, if memory serves me correctly, an automobile onstage. Hearn and Irving, of course were wonderful, but the music was dreck. Poor Richard Rodgers. The guy who wrote South Pacific, just pumping out stuff I swar I can't remember a note of . Aw, it breaks the heart.

[ncvalmont]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:15am

I didn't see the original, but I saw a production of it done a few years ago. The music...its okay. Some of the songs work. The book is what kills the show. It is so bogged down with so much plot that the original stage play had that it seemed to be hours in between songs!!! The took a novel that was a bunch of short stories...made a play that was very episodic, and then a musical that was episodic with songs. It is a good idea because audiences really seem to like Mama...but if it was ever revived (and doubt it would be!!!) they need to tighten the book!!!

[allofmylife]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:33am

ncvalmont, you're probably right. I do remember the thing that struck we was that there were several numbers with repetitive names, like "Lars, Lars, Lars" and "Nels, Nels, Nels." Just couldn't take it seriously, seriously, seriously.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 6:24am

I didn't see it, but I did enjoy one or two songs on the cast album... particularly "Every Day Comes Something Beautiful" (or something like that).

It reminded me of the old Richard Rodgers songs with Hammerstein.

[kec]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:21am

I saw in in preview. I'm afraid I can't remember too much about the music, but I do remember thinking that Liv Ullman did well as Mama, acting-wise. Can't remember her singing though. The story has always been a favorite, as my heritage is Norwegian.

Who sings on the cast recording?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:27am

Sally Ann Howes sings the role of Mama on the recording. George Hearn and George S. Irving (and the only ones from the OBC) appear as well. Ann Morrison sings the role of Katrin.

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:45am

Dottie characterized Liv Ulmann as a Broadway veteran. I don't believe this is true but it' beside the point. I saw the show during one of its final performances. The house was full and the audience certainly seemed to be enjoying the show. I know I did. Ulmann's singing skills may be debatable but I had the same problem with many whose singing skills are currently praised. She did put the role over and that, in my opinion, is far more important than anything else. The show, as it has been in all its reincarnations (including a tv series that I don't believe has been mentioned), was charming and evoked a long-gone era. It's always a pleasure to see a show like that.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:55am

Tom, you are absolutely right, and I thought about that after I wrote that. I know she appeared in a couple plays (very short-lived at that), but she was a name (which I realize doesn't necessarily make one a Broadway veteran).

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 8:16am

I've never seen or heard this show - but I love the movie. Barbara Bel Geddes is just wonderful as Katherine.

[kec]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 8:22am

Thanks, Dottie.

I, too, love the film. You're right about Barbara Bel Geddes. I also liked the actor who played "Onkle Chris," but his real name escapes me at the moment. Also, a lovely, young Ellen Corby as Trina.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:02am

Many thanks to WAT (a fan of flops) who gave me the run down on the tumultuous pre-Broadway and Broadway runs of I Remember Mama. I had no idea that this was a troubled show, and being totally oblivious to the goings-on, I thoroughly enjoyed the show.

My mom and I met Tara Kennedy (Dagmar) and her mom after the show. I mentioned that she would be perfect in Annie, and shortly thereafter she was cast in the Broadway company.

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 10:02 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:20am

You're so welcome. Ken Mandelbaum's recount of I REMEMBER MAMA in his book "Not Since Carrie" was very comprehensive.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:29am

On the cast album, you also have Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge) as one of the aunts! Sian Phillips is the other one.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:35am

I keep passing this cast recording up....maybe I need to rethink.....

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:40am

It's fun. Certainly not his best. Sally Ann Howes still has a few scattered moments of sounding like Truly Scrumptious (which I like). As the melodies rise up in her range, she has a beautiful soprano on this recording. And as I said earlier, it has one or two very nice songs in it.

(I'm not sure if I just damned it with faint praise for you or not... but I certainly wouldn't give it a "rave." Not a total pan, either. Richard Rodgers at his worst is still better than a whole lotta people.)

Now I can't get that song "Every Day Comes Something Beautiful" out of my head!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:41am

I did see this in it's preBway run in Philadelphia. I liked it (tho it was a bit boring. I was a mere child!) I remember liking Liv Ullman and Kirsten Vigard as Katrine.

[Hawker]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:47am

Uncle Chris was played by Oscar Homolka(Sp.?).

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:50am

Doodle, Kristen Vigard had already left the Broadway company when I saw the show (a few days before it closed).

I love the song, "A Little Bit More", which has been running through my head all morning.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:55am

Ian Zierling was Nils on Broadway.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 11:07am

Best bars, I remember distinctly remember him. When 90210 aired, I recalled recognizing him immediately. I believe the original Playbill is still at my parents house in CT.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 11:11am

Kristin was made understudy to Maureen Sillman on Broadway...not sure why. That is how it's listed in IBDB.

Kristin also sang "God Give Me Strength" for Illeana Douglas's character in Grace of My Heart. She's really pretty good!
Also the original standby for McArdle in Annie.