REVIEW 'Mame' charms Playhouse audience

Through good times and bad, Mame's motto remains 'Life's a banquet.'
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
She's wild, wacky, defiant, bold, brassy, indefatigable, impetuous, indomitable, inimitable, and she has a heart of pure gold. In any lineup of heroines of American musical theater, she would probably top the list for sheer gutsiness over Dolly Levi, Molly Brown, Annie Oakley and maybe even Mama Rose. Who is she? Mame Dennis, of course, and her story opened the Youngstown Playhouse's 79th season Friday night to a well-earned standing ovation.
"Mame" is a veritable musical feast of a riches-to-rags-to-riches story as the title character lives a carefree, bohemian lifestyle during the Roaring '20s, surrounded by an assortment of odd friends and acquaintances, when she suddenly finds herself the guardian of her young, orphaned nephew, Patrick Dennis.
But will instant parenthood cramp this lady's style? Not a chance. And the consequences are both hilarious and poignant as the free-spirited Mame fends off every attempt to mold her young charge into an establishment lackey.
This occurs much to the consternation of Patrick's nanny, Agnes Gooch, until she too falls under Mame's spell. Also viewing the proceedings with deep reservations is the caretaker of Patrick's inheritance, Dwight Babcock, who feels that Mame's lifestyle is not appropriate for a growing boy.
As the decade ends, the Depression hits, and Mame finds herself penniless and losing job after job, all the while asserting that "Life's a banquet" throughout Patrick's childhood and on into the childhood of his son, Peter.
Cast
As is her custom, Connie Cassidy turned in a stellar performance as the irrepressible title character, and her comic antics in "The Man in the Moon" scene alone are more than worth the price of admission.
Splendidly funny as her dearest friend, Vera Charles, was Paula Strobel, who can belt out a number like nobody's business, and positively in her element as the hilariously repressed Gooch was Molly Galano.
Performing the role of Patrick as a boy was the excellent C.J. Wilcox, and taking over the role as the adult Patrick was Matt White, who also was perfectly cast.
David El'Hatton was delightful as Burnside, and turning in a scene-stealing performance as Mame's houseboy, Ito, was Jonathan Emerson.
Rounding out this extremely talented cast were Jim McDonald, Gary Deckant, Chuck Wilcox, Cynthia Fiol, Brandon Martin, Thomas James Scott III, Ed McAtee, Carla Sullivan, Courtney Dilullo, Sam Galano, Monica Beasley-Martin, Lisa Raidel, Barb Malizia, Barb Evans, Matt Coonrod, Terri Wilkes, Jack Betts, Angela Kerfoot and Jackie Diaz.
In charge
Director of this superb production is J.E. Ballantyne Jr. with able assistance from Michael J. Moritz Jr., musical director; Matthew White, assistant director; Ruth Balestra, choreographer; and Jim Lybarger, technical director.
With Playhouse prices having been reduced this season, "Mame" is a very affordable, delightful evening of live theater at America's oldest continuing community theater.
clark@vindy.com