Told through the nostalgic eye of Katrin—one of four children of a Norwegian immigrant family living in San Francisco during the early 20th century—I Remember Mama by John Van Druten (based on Kathryn Forbes’ novel Mama’s Bank Account) is a poignant portrayal of how Mama and Papa Hanson work hard to give their children a strong upbringing. It is a challenge for the working-class family to put their son through high school, yet through selfless giving by each family member, they are able to give Nels an education. Additional family members who help round out the loving family are Mama’s brother, Chris, and her three sisters, Jenny, Sigrid and Trina.
Windfall Theatre’s staged reading of the play, directed by Carol Zippel, features Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s co-founder Ruth Shudson as Mama, and Marquette University’s acting and auditioning lecturer (and often guest director) Maureen Kilmurry as Katrin. Additional talents who play multiple roles include Joan End, Gladys Chmiel, Nita Domnitz, Gloria End, Leslie Fitzwater, Michelle Waide, Barbara Weber and Marilyn White. Christine Horgen narrates.
Windfall’s staged reading will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2 at Village Church Arts, 130 E. Juneau Ave. Tickets for I Remember Mama are $15 and can be purchased by calling 414-332-3963 or visiting brownpapertickets.com.
Theatre Happenings:
Waukesha Civic Theatre presents Shrek The Musical Jr., a family friendly version of the story of beloved ogre, Shrek, and the fascinating journey he takes while trying to get his swamp back from Lord Farquaad. Come find out if Shrek rescues Princess Fiona from the dragon-guarded tower July 31-Aug. 9 at the Margaret Brate Bryant Civic Theatre, 264 W. Main St. For tickets, call 262-547-0708 or visit waukeshacivictheatre.org.
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Three wonderful plays are coming to American Players Theatre: Private Lives by Noël Coward July 31-Oct. 2, William Shakespeare’s Othello Aug. 7-Oct. 3 and Edward Albee’s Seascape Aug. 8-Oct. 18. The first is a cosmopolitan comedy featuring Kelsey Brennan, Jim DeVita, John Taylor Phillips and Deborah Staples; the second, a tragedy that follows one of The Bard’s most compelling villains; and the last (but not least) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play about long-term love and the final stages of life. For more information and tickets, call 608-588-2361 or visit americanplayers.org.
