LB Press Telegram by Shirle Gottlieb
'Mame' still has that zing
Carol Lawrence, Sally Struthers and crew captivate Carpenter audience

"Mame,"starring Carol Lawrence (who is sensational and in top form as the carefree, flamboyant aunt who inherits the care of her 10-year-old nephew when her brother is killed), is as fresh and full of joy today as it was when it exploded on Broadway 35 years ago.

The Musical Theatre West production at the Carpenter Center sold out on opening weekend.

Auntie Mame is one of America's most colorful characters, the subject of a book that became a play, and then a movie, before it was adapted into the 1966 Tony Award-winning musical written by Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee and Jerry Herman.

Perhaps you saw Rosalind Russell in the film version of American's most favorite, free-spirited aunt? Or remember Angela Lansbury who originated the musical version of the role on Broadway? If you did, who can forget the famous line, "Life is a banquet, and all you poor suckers are starving to death?" '

As for the songs, some may know them by heart. Aside from the sizzling title number, there are three other delightfully upbeat ditties ("We Need a Little Christmas Now," ' "Bosom Buddies," ' and "Open a New Window" ') that you might recognize when you hear their melodies. Add the hauntingly beautiful ballad "If He Walked into My Life," ' and you know why "Mame" ' is such a guaranteed, sure-fire treat.

Director David Galligan has assembled an outstanding cast that includes Lawrence as Mame, the enormous comedic talents of Ruth Williamson as Vera Charles (Mame's best friend and celebrated actress who just l-o-v-e-s a smooth martini or two), and David Holladay as Lindsay Woolsey (Mame's handsome, bachelor buddy and book publisher).

Amick Byram stepped in at the last minute to deliver a splendid portrayal of Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside, the love of Mame's life who rescues her from poverty after the 1929 crash, marries her, then leaves her a fortune after a freak accident in the Alps. And Mark Smith plays her nephew, Patrick (after he grows up, goes to college, gets married, and has a son of his own).

Ah, but before everything happens, it's Sally Struthers who almost steals the show. As Agnes Gooch, Patrick's governess (who is an unattractive and introverted, naive "bachelorette" '), she gets "made over" ' by Mame and Vera, gets "made" ' when she ventures out into the world, then comes home to Mame when she doesn't know how to deal with her new experiences.

Also marvelous is the performance of little Jakie Batinga, the 8-year-old actor who plays the part of young Patrick with consummate confidence and professionalism. When he sings "My Best Girl" ' to his Auntie Mame, there isn't a dry eye in the house.

Veteran set designer Gary Wissman outdid himself, and light designer Raun Yankovich was at the top of his form. As for Lee Martino's choreography, it is electrifying, especially the rousing "Fox Hunt" ' number and the "That" s How Young I Feel'' jitterbug routine where Lawrence proves she can still hoof up a storm with the college-age set.

Of course there is a live, full-size orchestra in the pit (under the direction of Michael Borth). And just to show what a truly big deal this Musical Theatre West production is, Jerry Herman flew in from New York City and was in the audience on opening night.

When the curtain came down and the actors took their bow, Herman was on stage with the cast, basking in the roar of an appreciative audience that rose to its feet in unison with nonstop applause.