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Yes, there’s an inspirational Christmas subplot to Jerry Herman’s classic musical—the holidays jump-starting Depression-era blues—but the show is more about a well-to-do, eccentric, freewheeling single broad who’s suddenly faced with guardianship of her young nephew and then hits the financial skids. How Mame triumphs is the driving spirit here, plus Herman’s score is one of his best, inspired by a literary work with a long and successful track record, first as Patrick Dennis’ best-selling 1955 novel, later as an award-winning straight play adapted by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, as well as subsequent musical and non-musical film versions. The tunes are biggies out of the ebullient Herman playbook, including “My Best Girl,” “Bosom Buddies,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” the hilarious “The Man in the Moon Is a Lady” and the ever-catchy title number. The Circle Players production is under the direction of Macon Kimbrough, whose all-ages cast of 24 is led by Jamie London in the title role, followed by a host of familiar Nashville theater folks, including Daniel Vincent, Jim Manning, Cary Street, Tim Larson and Terry McLemore. The choreography is by Kate Adams-Johnson.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Dec. 4. Continues through Dec. 13, 2009
Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Dec. 4. Continues through Dec. 13, 2009
