I Remember Mama at The York

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I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 7:48pm

Saw the matinee today and thought the score was fun, with a few nice ballads thrown in. I wonder why more people don't sing "You Could Not Please Me More" in cabarets, etc, as I found it particularly lovely.

The book was episodic, and the central plot of moving the family for work reminded me of Meet Me in St. Louis, but it was servicable for the material.

George S Irving and Maureen Silliman, both members of the original cast, came back to perform in the MUFTI. Irving reprised his role and was absolutely terrific. It felt like they wrote the role for him yesterday.

The really interesting stuff came during the talk back with Martin Charnin. He basically ripped Liv Ullman to shreds. Said she sang like a Q-tip...her voice was like two pieces of cotton connected by a string. She had no vim and vigor in her performance, and even said she, "couldn't act." He qualified that by saying her film performances were fine, but couldn't handle stage work.

Did anyone here actually see the original production? Was she really that bad? Better still, did anyone see her in Anna Christie the season before? Would love to hear any memories people have of the original production.

Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 7:51pm

Barbara Tirrell is in it, but I don't know who she plays. Who did she play? Was she good?

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 7:58pm

In Not Since Carrie, doesn't Ken Mandelbaum write something about George S. Irving that he has his usual "I am in a flop" numbers and that even the song about his character is a dud?

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 7:58pm

Barbara doubled as Aunt Jenny (the pushier of the two aunts) and Dame Sybil Fitzgibbons. She was a hoot as Fitzgibbons and very funny as Aunt Jenny too. The Fitzgibbons scene felt very much like a sitcom episode, but Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Mama) and Barbara were having a ball with "Fair Trade."

Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:07pm

Smaxie- Yes, I just re-read the section on Mama in Not Since Carrie, and Mandelbaum does say that stuff! I thought his numbers were fun today, but the spirit of the MUFTIs is to celebrate these scores, and even embrace the campy moments, so maybe they just came off better in this environment.

"A Most Disagreeable Man," the song about Irving's character, is a "floppy" number, but was sung with such panache by the aunts today that I smiled and chuckled along with all lyrics.

Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:10pm

How did I never know this was a MUSICAL? I really love this play and even the movie. Irene Dunne and the VERY young Barbara Bel Geddes!

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:18pm

I haven't seen the movie, but just saw The Awful Truth recently and am falling in love with Dunne. Will have to check it out for sure.

It was Rodgers' last show, and he died four months after it closed. Charnin said that he doesn't think it has ever been revived on any level in New York, but that it gets done in high schools and musical theaters quite a bit.

Does anyone know if Charnin is wrong about no productions taking place in New York? Has anyone tried to tackle this show, off-Broadway perhaps?

Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:51pm

To answer your question Whizzer, I saw the original production!!! My mom, younger brother and I saw a Wednesday matinee in August 1979. I remember really liking the production - book, score and the gorgeous set. I remember meeting Tara Kennedy (Dagmar) and her mother after the show. She was adorable and had an amazing voice. I told her she should be in Annie. That's where she ended up shortly after "I Remember Mama" closed.

How could I forget, the original cast featured a future 90210 cast member, Ian Ziering.

Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

Updated On: 10/9/10 at 08:51 PM

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/9/10 at 11:21pm

I did the see original and remember liking it but I was in the very last row of theater which made me a little removed from the action. I did love the story even if their was a typical book.

#10

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:41am

I saw this musical as well as Liv Ullman in ANNA CHRISTIE. I honestly have no recollection of either one of them. Just went through the Playbills and they do nothing to budge my memory.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#11

I Remember Mama at The York

Posted: 10/10/10 at 4:00pm

Barbara Tirrell is sooo talented. All I could think watching her in this was: Funny Girl revival.

I remember seeing her go on for Nell Carter as Hannigan in the Broadway Annie revival, and for Faith Prince in A Man of No Importance opposite Roger Rees at Lincoln Center. I was so bummed that Faith was out, but when the show was over, I couldn't imagine Faith playing it as well as Barbara did.

For some reason, I seem to catch a LOT of understudies. And I must say, I'm rarely disappointed.

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