Let's Help Get Mame on Broadway — Page 3

I was delighted to have the chance to see Lansbury do it, and I was happy to see the show, although no one else in town went. And if the Nederlanders and the Weisslers end up bringing in the Kennedy Center revival, good for them. I'm not dead set against it, just pointing out why it's not a good idea.

The fortunes of musical revivals have been dimming for years now. Sure, there were factors that contributed to Mame's failure in 1983, but rarely does a certain title flop, and then come back years later as a hit. Mame is an iffy proposition, and the fact that people can buy theatre tickets on the internet now won't change that.

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Chicago has the advantage of being dirt-cheap to run. No set, smallish orchestra, simple costumes. It also benefitted from being revived at a time where the show's cynicism and black heart matched the national mood to an even greater degree than the even more cynical 1975 original production.

Pajama Game IS (or was) a smash, and it's a revival I like(d) very much. But I think its hit status has been due solely to the presence of Harry Connick Jr., and the strong foundation of having had the thousands upon thousands of Roundabout subscribers to make it a tough ticket. If it returns in the fall without Connick, I'd worry about it.

Sweeney Todd had a couple of strong months, but has been living on discounting since then. No shame in that. It's never been a show that has lived long on either side of the Atlantic, so I give the producers credit for turning a profit on it and running it in the black. But I'm not certain it is a genuine box office "smash," in the way that Pajama Game was, or the Chicago and Cabaret revivals were when they opened.

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After seeing Mame last night at the Kennedy Center my thoughts are, just let the show be. In other words, don't bring it to Broadway. While it was enjoyable, I found the show to be just OK. I loved hearing the large orchestra, something which isn't going to happen if the show transfers. The costumes were nice and the choreography was wonderful. There were bits and pieces of the show I enjoyed, but for some reason I felt that something was missing. I'm glad I went, and so glad I bought my tickets as soon as they went on sale ($25).

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Needless to say, I loved the KC MAME and thought Baranski was terrific.

Since the major papers decided to review the show after only three public performances (the first public performance was the first time the set functioned trouble-free), the reviews picked up on what was then the tentative nature of the show.

Baranski is in total command of the stage and the role, as evidenced by the performance I saw. But it is probably over-produced by current Broadway standards -- which is a sad commentary on what should be the flagship production standards in the American theater -- and would never make back its costs in a Broadway run ... even with Streep.

Updated On: 6/18/06 at 11:42 AM

I just got back from DC. Saw "Mame" last night. FANTASTIC! Broadway NEEDS this. Just as "Sweeney" and "Pajama Game" were rejuvenated and "updated" so is this production.
We should know by tomorrow hopefully if it's coming up here.
Suffice to say it all comes down to dollars and cents. If it can turn a profit is key.
If anyone has an in with the Nederlanders tell them we'll all go see it.
This production sparkles and shines. Baranski is FLAWLESS! Harriet recreates Vera and so does Emily.
Eric Schaeffer has done a BANG UP job of adding the sparkle, pizzaz and bubbles to make this show come alive again.
Angela Lansbury came by to a rehearsal and the cast sang "Mame" to her, bringing her to happy tears. Jerry Herman was the same.
A true labor of love!
Fill the Palace with MAME Nederlanders. Let's erase the stink of the last two bombs that played there.
The South WILL RISE AGAIN!

Has anyone heard any news on this fabulous production today?

I would go to NYC to see it! Any news YET????

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