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Performed
Apr 21 - May 1, 2005
COMEDY:
By Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
Patrick Dennis , as himself in this story,
which unfolds in a memoir style manner, is the 10-year old
nephew of flamboyant, free-spirited Mame, who is also value
conscious, as witnessed in her passionate defense of tolerance,
and an "I've gotta be me" persona.
Young Patrick, along with his Irish nanny,
Norah Muldoon, arrive in New York City to live with his "Auntie
Mame". Feisty Mame is a long way from the ideal mother, but
teaches Patrick what's really important in life.
In 1928 Chicago, Patrick is privileged and
wealthy. His father is a successful, though emotionally cold
figure. When his father dies, a fortune is placed in trust for
him. The trustee, Mr. Babcock, displeased with Mame's lifestyle
of constant parties and benefits, sends Patrick off to boarding
school.
Meanwhile Mame is forced out of her Beekman
Place residence when she loses "big time" in the 1929 stock
market crash. Things look bleak until she meets and marries
Beauregard Burnside, a southern oilman awash in money. Her
in-laws and the southern locals tag her as a gold-digging
Yankee, but our heroine manages to charm even this crowd.
Married for just a few years, husband Beau dies in an accident
in the Alps
and Mame is now a wealthy widow.
Centerstage in the story is when Patrick
grows up and proposes to Gloria Upson, upsetting the
disapproving Auntie Mame. The Upsons are part of an "exclusive"
Connecticut suburb, rife with bigots and narrowminded
socialites. Mame confronts this in an eye-opening speech that
endures even to today.
Auntie Mame's activities are funny. She is
eccentric, fearless, involving herself in frauds and fads,
bordering on irresponsibility. Despite all this she remains
loved and admirable for the stands she takes. A famous line from
the Rosalind Russell movie of the same title is: "Life is a
banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death".
NONIE WHITE (Director) - You've seen Nonie here as actor,
director and Member of the FWP Board of Directors. She has
directed such outstanding productions for us as Heaven Can Wait,
Mr. Angel, Anna's Brooklyn Promise, Play It Again Sam, and last
season's My Three Angels. Nonie has been acting and directing
since high school and delights in working with a cast as
dedicated as this one. In February, Nonie performed in our fundraising special event,
Love Letters. She will reprise that role, by special request,
in May, when FWP will present a special three performance run of
Love Letters for those patrons who did not have the opportunity
to see it.
DIANE ARADI (Sally Cato MacDougal) - Diane is thrilled to be
back at FWP as part of this wonderful cast. She once again
thanks her husband, Lester, for all his support.
BABS BAILEY (Cousin Fan) - This is Bab's
first performance behind the curtain at FWP. She has greeted
many of you in her "role" of House Manager as a member of our
Board of Directors. She says, "Thanks, Nonie, for picking me."
ABE BODENTSTEIN (Dr. Schurr) - Abe has
played in various venues locally, as well as in Ohio. He has
done drama (12 Angry Men), comedy (The Odd couple) and musicals
(Gigi). This production will be his "swan song" as he is
hanging up his dancing shoes.
RICK BRONSON (Ito) - Rick is really happy
to be working with Nonie and this terrific cast. You may
recognize him from his previous work at FWP. He performed in
The Man Who Came To Dinner (Bert) and The Importance of Being
Earnest (Algernon).
JASON BURGHORN (Patrick) - Jason has
performed for FWP in La Cage and Anything Goes for WCP he has
recently done two shows, Les Miserables and Don't Mention My
Name. He says, "It's been great working with this really
talented cast!"
ZOLMAN CAVITCH (Mr. Babcock) - Zol has
appeared most recently at FWP in Teahouse of the August Moon
(Col. Purdy) and Murder At The Vicarage (Inspector Slack). His
many years of experience here, in Sarasota and Ohio make him a
great "trouper."
LAUREN E. ELLIS (Gloria) - Lauren returns
to the stage after a two year hiatus. She graduated form the
University of Alabama with a degree in Dance Performance and
Education in 2001. She is delighted to revive her performing
career with such a fun role.
TOM FRAWLEY (Claude Upson) - Tom is happy
to be appearing in FWP's Auntie Mame. He is a veteran FWP
performer. He has appeared here in 1940's Radio Hour (Lou) ,
H.M.S. Pinafore (Bo'sun), and My Three Angels (Felix).
KATY GAUDET (Vera Charles) - Katy has
performed at FWP in The Man Who Came To Dinner (Lorraine) and
just recently in La Cage (Jaqueline). She thanks Nonie for this
"role of her dreams" and her husband, Dave, for his love,
patience and support.
KURT GAWLICK (Theatre manager) - Kurt has
acted in many local productions in our area. You last "saw" him
at FWP as the spotlight crew in La Cage aux Folles!
STEVEN GERARD (O'Bannion) - Raised and
educated in Syracuse N.Y., Steve has appeared in over 25 shows
since moving to Largo in 1996. At FWP alone he has appeared in
How To Succeed (Gatch), Of Thee I Sing (Gilhooley), Naughty
Marietta (Grandet) and Laura (Shelby). Go Steve!
LINDA HAMRILL (Mother Burnside) - Linda
has performed for FWP in Ladies Man (Margie), 7 Keys to Baldpate
(Mrs Quimby) and Anastasia (Charwoman). She hopes her three
grown children don't think she's like Mother Burnside.
HEATHER IGNACIO ( Pegeen) - At FWP Heather
recently played in Miracle Worker (Kate) and Life With Father
(all 4 maids!). She performed in SPLT's production of Noises
Off! (Brooke) and in the past has studied theatre in Los
Angeles.
GAIL JOHNSON (Auntie Mame) - Gail charmed
us all with her performance in Life With Father (Vinnie). She
gives a huge thank you to Nonie for teaching her how to "live!"
and another to Dick Poole and the best cast and crew in the
world! Kisses to her three kids and great hubby!
STUART JONAP (Beau) - Some of Stuart's
favorite FWP roles include; Heaven Can Wait, The Mousetrap and
The Crucible. He starred in FWP's fundraiser, Love Letters in
February and will reprise his role for us this May. He sends,
"A special shout out to my leading Ladies M., C., B."
RITA KITENPLON (Stage Manager) - Rita,
once again, saves the day behind the scenes. An accomplished
actress and stage manager she gives us her backstage expertise
for this production.
NICHOLAS LISCIANDRO (Cousin Jeff) - We
gladly welcome Nick back to FWP. He is an experienced actor,
last appearing here in Sugar (Knuckles) and in Ladies of the
Jury (Judge). He has just finished performing in Love, Sex and
the I.R.S. at Richey Suncoast Theatre.
CHRISTINE MROZ (Radcliffe) - Christine is
appearing at FWP for the first time. She has previously worked
with EOT in A Streetcar Named Desire. FWP hopes Christine will
come and "play" at FWP again.
ROBERT MURPHY (Patrick/Michael) - Robert
enjoys acting and most recently understudied the parts of
Whitney and Harlan for FWP's Life With Father. He is on the
Principal's list at Bay Point Elementary and loves baseball!
RYAN MURPHY (Emory) - Ryan played in FWP's
Life With Father (Harlan). He loves to act and sing and also
enjoys karate.
GEORGETTE RASMUSSEN (Norah Muldoon) -
Georgette's happy to be back on the boards at FWP, especially
with a wonderful cast and many old friends. She dedicates this
role to the memory of her Great Grandmother who hailed from the
Emerald Isle.
GAIL M. ROBINSON (Agnes Gooch) - Gail
says, "Delighted to be back at FWP; many thanks to Nonie and an
outstanding cast."
MARY LEE ROSS (Doris Upson) - Last seen at
FWP in Sugar (Sweet Sue). Mary has just completed a long run in
Stonewall Jackson House at the Galaxy Theatre. She's happy to
be back. "Thanks, Nonie."
ROSALYN SAVEL (Maid) - Although Rosalyn
has been performing in community theatre for many years this is
her second performance at FWP. You saw her last season in
Ladies of the Jury (Lily). Rosalyn hopes to be gracing our
stage many times in the future.
JOHN PATRICK SMITH (Ralph Devine) - For
John, this show has been more like a family reunion since he's
working with a cast he's acted with, or admired, before. John
says, "I'm glad to be part of this family; after all, every
family has to have a member on the lunatic fringe!"
CHRISTOPHER STRONG (M. Lindsay Woolsey) -
Since portraying Ito in two prior productions of Mame, Chris is
especially pleased to be M. Lindsay Woolsey in this one! FWP
especially remembers Chris' portrayal of Curly in our
production of Oklahoma, a role which earned him a Lary Award!
CHELSEA WARD (Guest) - Chelsea is making
her stage debut, right here at FWP! She is another of our
wonderful FWP Teen Summer Workshop graduates and we're always
delighted to see our young people progress.
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