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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2008 > November > 17 > Entry
Playhouse’s ‘Mame’ shakes off doldrums
All 24 scenes in the Dayton Playhouse’s production of the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee play “Auntie Mame” end with the face of Tina McPhearson as the title character in spotlight. She’s often smiling in delight or mischief.
Those freezes seemed only slightly slower paced than much of the first act during the Friday, Nov. 14, performance, which finally gained momentum shortly before intermission.
Patience was rewarded. Act 2 delivered crisp scenes and well-tuned appearances by an array of performers, including Dave Nickel as Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside, Pam McGinnis as Vera Charles, Gary Hergenrather as Babcock, Renee Franck Reed as Norah Muldoon, Megan Grabiel as Gloria Upson, Cynthia Karns and Robert Martin as Mrs. and Mr. Upson and Terry Lupp as Mother Burnside.
Director Brian Sharp made effective use of the talent at his command.
It was hard to tell where the enthusiastic and gregarious McPhearson left off and Mame began. McPhearson, making a return to the stage for the first time in several years, could play the role in her sleep. Thankfully, she just played herself instead.
Cassandra Engber turned in a delightfully detailed, scene-stealing performance as twitchy, newly awakened, bespectacled secretary Agnes Gooch. Also making impressions: Adam Lupp as Mame’s young nephew Patrick, particularly when it came to whipping up a martini; Nathan Hudson as grown-up Patrick, Kali Stripe as Sally Cato and Shanessa Sweeney as Pegeen.
Although set changes did slow down the pace, Chris Harmon supplied scenery not just for Mame’s theatrical apartment, but also for locations as varied as the Alps, Egypt and Macy’s department store.
“Auntie Mame” continues with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. Tickets are $12-$15. Call (937) 424-8477.
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