"Mame" heading for the Palace — Page 2

I like Mame a little bit more than Michael Bennett, but I have to agree that it's not quite as sharp a piece as people think it is. The book by the "Auntie Mame" play authors Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee does suffer with the addition of Herman's fine songs and the delirious pace and tone of "Auntie Mame" gets weighted down in the process. It ends up a bit like "Auntie Mame Lite".

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I'm with MichaelBennett here. Perhaps it was accidental—it probably was—but it's funny that Riedel wrote, "If this Jerry Herman musical is any good it'll move to the Palace Theater in the summer." He didn't write "If this production is good," he wrote, "If this musical is good."

Some musicals transcend their source material. Some come up with something equally valid. Some pale in comparison. Mame is in the last category. Herman wrote some good songs, but it's not a great show. The original production did make a splash, but the only way it would work now would be in a really great production with the right Mame. And I can't see brittle Baranski being that person.

She really is terrific in the right roles, but I think her range is very limited. She just has no personal warmth onstage. I've seen her plenty of times, and when warmth is needed, it's never there.

I do think that Schaeffer is a good director, at least when it comes to Sondheim. His Passion and his Sunday were both good. Much better than the two productions Christopher Ashley directed for the festival, including the awful Sweeney with Baranski as Lovett. Rave reviews notwithstanding, it was terrible and she seemed mostly concerned with landing her laughs, which she did, but when it came to creating a believable character, she wasn't there. (And with the revved-up fesival audiences, any Lovett would have landed the laughs.)

The crazy part is that the Mame company has a much better choice for the role right there: Harriet Harris. Harris probably couldn't sing it, but she otherwise has the right qualities.

I will be surprised if this makes it to Broadway. I would be even more surprised if it made there and thrived.

Did anyone of you get student ticket for this show? I went to the box office and the woman told me the show was almost sold out and the cheapest one is $56. I want to see "Mame", but $56, forget about it.

Sapphire has two P's. Glad to see Candide quoted, though.

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mame makes my head hurt.

MAME was not a huge hit with critics... of the 6 daily reviewers at the time 3 were favourable, 2 mixed and one nasty outright pan.

It did not do well at the Tonys picking up awards for Lansbury, Arthur and Frankie Michaels. The major awards all went to MAN OF LA MANCHA.

But MAME was an audience pleaser and the cast album reveals a score loaded with character. I think the reviews would have been better if it hadn't opened with the original play and film still fresh in everyone's mind.

Also, with DOLLY still running MAME seemed like an attempt to cash in on the same formula.

We should have learned with PAJAMA GAME not to pass judgement on revivals before they open. :)

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Did anyone of you get student ticket for this show? I went to the box office and the woman told me the show was almost sold out and the cheapest one is $56. I want to see "Mame", but $56, forget about it.

It depends what day you want, I think. Weekends are all nearly sold out, but week days are open. Also, I'm pretty sure the Kennedy Center student tickets are about $25, but they have a limited supply.

Speaking of which, I need to get my ticket; I put it off when I was here in March. But personally, I'm more excited about the Sweeney Todd reunion concert.

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Updated On: 5/24/06 at 05:37 PM

I join MichelBennett, Smaxie and others. I loved the show as a teenager, but also know it's really an accomplished, well-crafted mediocrity, its limitations not really obvious on the vivid album (one of the best of the era). If only the score alone could sell it. Whoever said "Auntie Mame Lite" nails it. Go watch the Roz Russell movie, in which she creates a one-of-a-kind character unlike any other. Then read the book scenes from the musical. The character is a mere shadow of the original.

I saw the Lansbury revival in 83, and it was clear then the show was a kind of relic.

Those suggesting a reality check are also correct. People paying 100 dollars to see Christine Baranski? It has zero to do with talent. She's not a bankable above-the-title star in today's climate. Cher would sell, but why would Cher do MAME eight times a week?

Personally, I'd rather see Bette in DOLLY. That bit of casting my re-invent that show.

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No one has mentioned how amusing Reidel's column was this week. I found his stuff about the Tony's and Oprah quite funny.

By the time I saw the original production, Lansbury had left & i saw it with Janice Page. What do you want for a free ticket?

Will definitely see it

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Riedel is right on about the Tonys. It needs a host to carry it along.

As for Mame, I say why the hell not? If there's room for all these new shows on Broadway - and most of the shows currently on the boards are new - and the revivals are no earlier than the 70s (not counting Pajama Game), why not bring an old chestnut to Broadway? I think there's a big audience that wants something old-fashioned on Broadway. Just look at the attention for Pajama and Drowsy!

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MAME is a TOUGH show to do. The book is sooo slim. There is a temptation for the actress playing Mame to compensate for the show's shortcomings by pulling a "star turn" forgetting about the character of Mame Dennis and thus making the show a diva lovefest.

Has there EVER been a produciton of MAME - outside of the original Broadway with the original cast - that wasn't just an excuse for older actress to dress up in glitter and sing some fun songs?

I wish them luck. I hope it is a success. But lighting with MAME may have just striked one.