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Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY)
August 14, 1997
Section: CNY
Edition: City
Page: D4
'MAMA' A CHARMING RETURN
TO AN OLD FAVORITE
Suzanne M. Connelly, Contributing Writer
Those who "remember Mama"
from the 1948 movie and 1950s television show, which chronicled the lives
of the Hanson
family, Norwegian immigrants
making their way in the America of the early 1900s, will recall the emphasis
on family
values, the innocent humor
and the quiet drama.
It is possible to revisit
the Hanson family. In a nicely crafted version of John Van Druten's play
"I Remember Mama,"
Appleseed Productions has
revived this simple drama, reviewed in performance Saturday evening. The
production, which
ends Appleseed's season
with a staging in the BeVard Studio Theater at the John H. Mulroy Civic
Center, is successful
for two major reasons: Director
C.J. Young has staged the play effectively in the BeVard Studio's intimate
spaces, and
he has chosen his large
cast wisely.
One of the problems with
Van Druten's drama is the myriad scene changes, which considerably add
to the length of the
play. Young has staged the
action in several areas of the BeVard space, sometimes on the balcony platform,
sometimes thrust forward
of the central area representing the Hansons' home.
He uses minimal furniture
to represent spaces and with these devices manages to move the action smoothly,
transitioning well
from
one scene to the next.
Young's cast is nicely matched
to the several roles. Of course, the central role is Mrs. Hanson (Mama),
who must
establish the tone of the
play with a mix of humor and seriousness. A saccharine Mama just won't
do; she must be firm
but warm, an unassuming
role model for the children and for her quarreling sisters, the not-very-well-liked
aunts.
Roseanne Fortino as Mama
embodies strength and softness. She has established herself in her role
and anchors the
production. Maureen Biermann
as Katrin also shines, with a sensitive portrayal of a young woman who
is beginning to
discover herself and establish
her values. Peter Woods is a nice complement as Papa.
Gina Fortino as Christine
("the stubborn one") is a saucy and sometimes jealous younger sister; Bryan
Simcox does
well as brother Nels ("the
kind one"). Tara Lawton rounds out the family as animal-loving Dagmar.
Fifteen other characters
appear in the play, some of whom deserve special note. Lois Haas, Theresa
Constantine and
Anne Sermon as Aunts Trina,
Sigrid and Jenny bicker like real sisters and share some effective time
together on stage.
Bernard Kaplan as Uncle Chris,
the tyrant who turns out to have a heart of gold, gives a strong, if a
bit loud, reading to
his role.
In a cameo role as author
Florence Dana Moorhead, Ann Rott is delightfully believable. Finally, Terry
Gore as Uncle
Chris' ostracized wife establishes
her role with body language - limp, rounded shoulders and averted eyes.
The details
What: "I Remember Mama,"
presented by Appleseed Productions.
Where: BeVard Studio Theater,
John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse.
Performance time: 2 1/2
hours, including a 10-minute intermission.
Attendance: About 120 (capacity
160).
Length of run: Through Saturday.
Tickets: $8 to $10; call
492-9766.
Family guide: An affirmation
of family values makes the play appropriate for young and old.
Copyright (c) 1997 The Herald
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