Dramatic Criticism for "Mame"
On November 7th, 2002 I attended the Musical Theater West Production of
"Mame" at the Long Beach Carpenter Center. Mame is very well off. She lives in New
York at the peak of the Twenties, and is surprised by a "wonderful present": an orphan
Now, ten-year-old Patrick needs his aunt, and this is something new for Mame-
to be needed. It changes her life. It brings her into sharp conflict with her best friend,
Vera Charles, a multi-martini grande dame of the legitimate theater-for Vera can't
stand children. The man Mame is about to marry is perfectly willing to take on the boy
as a bonus, but Mame doesn't think she'll have time for marriage-"I'll be too busy
The boy's nanny, Agnes Gooch, doesn't approve of those irrepressible things
which go on in Mame's Beekman Place apartment, and yet she inevitably falls under
her spell. Eye to eye, toe to toe, Mame battles Babcock, the snooty banker who wants
to make young Patrick the prisoner of the Establishment and put the chains of
conformity around him. With the balloon burst of the Depression, it looks as if
Babcock is going to have his way. Mame loses all her money, and she loses jobs as
quickly as she finds them. (Mame's gift is giving, not working for hire!)
In a brief adventure as a manicurist, she meets Beau-a wealthy scion of the
South. He takes Mame to his plantation for the begrudging approval of his family.
They are astounded at her exploits on horseback (so is she)! Of course, Beau
proposes-in the bouncing title song which sings the praises of Mame! There's only
one problem as the curtain falls on the first act-young Patrick, who has given her such
joy and provided a purpose in her life, smiles bravely. But he's afraid he has lost his
Best Girl. Personally I think there was another problem; not seeing the second act!
"Mame" is one of the best musi
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