Wick Theatre's MAME, Starring Leslie Uggams, Begins Performances Tomorrow

Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Leslie Uggams (Roots, Hallelujah, Baby!) will open a new window this holiday season when she stars in Jerry Herman's glorious musical MAME at the Wick Theatre in Boca Raton, Florida. Based on the 1955 novel Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis, this Tony Award-nominated classic is filled with irresistible songs including "Open a New Window," "We Need a Little Christmas," "Bosom Buddies" and "If He Walked into My Life." The book is by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman.

MAME follows eccentric bohemian Mame Dennis as her madcap life among the rich and famous is suddenly interrupted when her orphaned nephew Patrick comes to live with her. Through the years they cope with the Depression, romantic escapades, heartbreak and reconciliation. Mame is considered one of the all-time great female roles in musical comedy, and Uggams is putting her own distinctive stamp on it as the first major African American to star.

"Jerry (Herman) has long wanted me to play Mame, but the timing never seemed right," says Uggams. "But I guess after playing Rose in Gypsy this summer at Connecticut Rep, the time for Mame has finally come. As one of his songs in the show goes, 'It's Today.'

Uggams has a long and happy history with composer Jerry Herman. She starred on tour in Jerry's Girls, a musical revue of his work, with Carol Channing and Andrea McArdle and then again on Broadway in 1985-86 with Dorothy Loudon and Chita Rivera. In 1993 she memorably sang "If He Walked into My Life" during the star-studded tribute "Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl."

In MAME Uggams leads a cast of 24 including South Florida favorites Irene Adjan, Jim Ballard and Lourelene Snedeker as Mame's side-kick Vera Charles. Broadway veteran Norb Joerder (42nd Street and Steel Magnolias) directs with music direction by Michael Ursua. Wick regular Jose Santiago provides the lighting design and Eric Harriz designs the set.

MAME opens for previews at the Wick on December 4 with the Gala Grand Opening on December 6 at 7:30 p.m. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday with matinees at 2:00 p.m. and evening performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. There are a number of added performances for this blockbuster including several during the Christmas holiday week.

Tickets and information are available by calling the Wick Theatre at 561-995-2333 or visiting online at www.thewick.org.

The Wick is a beautiful new theater and costume museum designed to "entertain, celebrate, and preserve for the world the treasures of our musical theatre history." MAME will be part of the second season of the Wick's Broadway Series.

For more information on Leslie Uggams, please visit her on the web at www.leslieuggams.com.

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