MAME Runs Now thru 11/23 at The Loft Theatre

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its winning streak of re-imaging large-scale musicals with the Broadway hit Mame. Producing Artistic Director Kevin Moore takes on directing duties and looks to catch the same magic that made recent small-scale productions of Oliver! and Fiddler on the Roof such outstanding successes in the 212-seat Loft Theatre. The show centers around Mame Dennis, a well-to-do eccentric without a care until she becomes the guardian of her ten-year-old nephew, Patrick. Now it's up to her to open new windows and show the boy worlds he never knew existed. Through the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression, Mame teaches Patrick how to "live, live, live"-whether he's willing or not. It's the dazzling musical that proves life's a banquet, featuring the classic songs "We Need a Little Christmas," "It's Today," "Bosom Buddies" and, of course, "Mame."

The preview performance of Mame is tonight, October 30. Opening night is Friday, October 31.

Mame, with a book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (Inherit the Wind, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail) and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!; La Cage Aux Folles) is the musical version of Lawrence and Lee's Auntie Mame, their play based on Patrick Dennis's novel by the same name. The musical opened on Broadway in 1966 and starred Angela Lansbury as "Mame" and Bea Arthur as her friend "Vera Charles." The hit production spawned a film version in 1974 starring Lucille Ball.

For The Human Race's production, director Kevin Moore has envisioned Mame as a "memory play" from Patrick Dennis's point of view as he recalls the early years of his life spent with Mame. "The Human Race has always focused on telling a good story, no matter the size," says Moore. "With a touch of theatre magic, The Loft Theatre becomes the perfect place for grown-up Patrick Dennis to remember this madcap and heartwarming tale that covers three decades."

For his inventive staging of the typically large-scale production, Moore has gathered 19 talented actors to cover the roles typically performed by a cast of over 40. The acting company features Pittsburgh-based actress/director Lisa Ann Goldsmith as "Mame," with Cincinnati actresses Torie Wiggins as "Vera Charles" and Leslie Goddard as "Agnes Gooch," Resident Artists Jamie Cordes as "Beauregard J.P. Burnside," Marya Spring as "Sally Cato" and Scott Stoney as "Dwight Babcock," Wright State University instructor Sherri L. Sutter as "Madame Branislowski/Mother Burnside/Mrs. Upson,", WSU graduates Zack Steele as "Patrick," Annie Pesch as "Ito," Sarah Agar as "Cousin Fan" and Shavey Brown as "Ralph DeVine/Leading Man," Cooper Taggard as "Messenger/Gregor," and current WSU student Layan Elwazani as "Pegeen Ryan," Peanut Edmonson as "Young Patrick/Peter," Michael McCrary as "Junior Babcock," Darrin Murrell as "Doorman/Stage Manager/Uncle Jeff/Mr. Upson," Sarah Naughton as "Gloria Upson," Adam Soniak as "Elevator Boy/Tango Dancer" and Robb Willoughby as "M. Lindsay Woolsey." Sam McLain is the understudy for "Young Patrick/Peter."

John Faas (Zoot Theatre's The Rocky Horror Puppet Show, Encore Theatre Company's Spring Awakening) is the music director and will conduct a seven-member band. Scott Stoney is associate director and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music graduate Katie Johannigman (CCM's Out of This World) is the choreographer. The scenic designer is native Daytonian and long-time Human Race collaborator Dick Block (Fiddler on the Roof and Avenue Q), the costume designer is Christie Peitzmeier (Play It by Heart and Becky's New Car), Resident Artist John Rensel is the lighting designer and Nathan D. Dean is the sound designer. Kay Carver is the production stage manager and Preston D. McCarthy is the assistant stage manager.

Biographies on the cast and creative team can be found on The Human Race Theatre Company's website.

The production sponsors for Mame are the ELM Foundation, Gosiger, Inc., KeyBank, the DP&L Foundation, Marion's Piazza, Anonymous, Susan S. Kettering, Barbara N. O'Hara, Anonymous, The Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation, Burhill Leasing Corporation, Patti Giering, Matthew J. Scarr, CPA LLC, One Call Now, The Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Fund for the Arts, Two Friends and William and Carolyn Winger, with additional support from Houser Asphalt & Concrete.

Performance and special event information

Tickets for the preview performance of Mame on October 30 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances October 31 - November 23, single ticket prices start at $40 for adults, $37 for seniors and $20 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. The Human Race is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities. Side-area seats are available at most performances for $25 each, on sale two weeks prior to performance. The Sunday, November 2 7:00 p.m. performance is "Sawbuck Sunday", when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at The Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center's Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for Mame are 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday and Tuesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees.

The Pay-What-You-CAN open rehearsal is Wednesday, October 29 at 8:00 p.m. The "Inside Track" pre-show discussion begins at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, prior to the 8:00 p.m. preview performance. The opening night performance on Friday, October 31 at 8:00 p.m. is followed by a free party with the cast in The Loft Lobby. "Lite Fare at the Loft" with food and drink provided by Citilites begins in The Loft Theatre lobby at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4. The "While We're on the Subject" post-show talkback is on Sunday, November 9, immediately following the 2:00 p.m. performance.

Tickets and performance information on Mame are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

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