NS Music Theatre makes the most of 'Mame'

By Sally Applegate / Correspondent
Thursday, May 8, 2003

Loaded with hit songs and ablaze with glorious costumes and campy sets, North Shore Music Theatre's 2003 season opener is the classic feel-good musical "Mame." Jerry Herman's memorable music and lyrics, and the acerbically witty book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, bring stage life to Patrick Dennis's satiric novel.

In case you're from another planet, "Mame" is the story of Mame Dennis, an eccentric free spirit who takes on the upbringing of her orphaned nephew Patrick and opens many new doors for him.

Once again North Shore has brought an outstanding cast to Beverly and employed the considerable talents of director/choreographer Barry Ivan, whose creatively stunning dance numbers are performed by a wonderful dance chorus. The title song, always a high point in productions of "Mame," is just perfection in this production.

Personifying "Mame" with verve is Beth McVey, a tall, Rubenesque redhead with comedy sense and a rich, gutsy singing voice. McVey is occasionally strident at the top of her range, and this is particularly noticeable in the touching "If He Walked Into My Life," where it undercuts the song's mood at times. She's just fine vocally most of the time, especially in "My Best Girl" and "Bosom Buddies." McVey has the be-everywhere, sing-everything part, and she gives it her all. She has, however, some formidable comedy competition in this production.

Cindy Benson brings down the house as repressed nanny Agnes Gooch. This is a hilarious role, and Benson's outrageous physical comedy, adorably squinty face and versatile singing voice soon have the audience at her feet. Her bowlegged, myopic stagger down a staircase after being glammed up in a red sparkly gown is the comedic high point of act two.

Returning later as an extremely pregnant and somewhat bewildered "fallen woman," Benson continues to dazzle the audience, receiving an enthusiastic standing ovation when she makes her curtain call. (By the way, whatever happened to the lecherous author on loan to Gooch from famed actress Vera Charles in the original Broadway production, who apparently fathered Gooch's illegitimate child? Just wondering. Thos Shipley appears to be playing the restructured and more conservative role.)

No slouch herself in the comedy department, Lisa McMillan makes a fabulously sophisticated and sardonic Vera Charles, a legendary actress and boozer. Long, lean and linear, she is ceremoniously carried offstage like Shakespeare's departed Hamlet after passing out from overindulgence in one scene. McMillan brings her extensive vocal range to this production, where it is needed in the demanding "Bosom Buddies." During this showstopper, she dives with ease for low notes, singing an octave below McVey at times.

"Bosom Buddies" is a tour de force for actresses, and McMillan and McVey sell it well, complete with double takes, sardonic pauses and harmonic interludes.

Dominic Lim does a clever comic turn as Mame's very, very Japanese houseboy Ito.

Daniel Plimpton is touching as the newly orphaned Patrick Dennis, handling his demanding role with ease. He has an exceptionally nice singing voice, although it is already warning him, with the occasional little crack, that adolescence is on its way.

The grown Patrick Dennis is nicely realized by Adam Monley. He could, however, have been a bit more comically infuriating as he embraced his newfound snob lifestyle in a "restricted" community.

An "awwww" moment for the audience is the arrival of tiny Landon Komishane, first-grader from Manchester-by-the-Sea, as the young son of Patrick Dennis, bringing Mame a whole new life-lesson project.

The brief role of Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside features the imposing presence of Forrest Tucker look-alike Chuck Wagner, whose rich baritone leaves one wishing his character were not planning to fall off a mountain, precluding any further singing.

An important plot moment is obscured from the audience's view by the odd directorial choice of having the ensemble cast stand in a circle around the periphery of the arena stage as Patrick Dennis's conservative fiancé and prospective in-laws struggle with ultra-modern furniture, stomach-churning snacks and the hopelessly pregnant Gooch. It is annoying to have one's view of this pivotal moment in the musical blocked by cast members standing around like the monoliths at Stonehenge.

Early in the show last Thursday, there was something unheard of at North Shore, a slightly elongated blackout during which nothing happened - clearly the result of a delayed entrance, possibly due to cast members being hurriedly decked out in more eye-popping costumes.

These complaints aside, this production is certainly a must-see for anyone yearning for an extravagantly fun-filled evening of musical theater. Full of great songs, with a message of tolerance and living life to its fullest, "Mame" is a grand family show.

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