LOW presents ‘Mame’ attraction

Actor and producer Bob McFarland takes on dual roles and genders this month in the hometown musical “Mame,” performed by The Lake of the Woods Players.

McFarland plays Mother Burnside, an overbearing Southern woman who isn’t afraid to voice her opinion, and Claude Upson, a stuffy, overprotective father known for making cocktails with a secret ingredient — strained honey.

“Mame” (pronounced “Maim”) starts Thursday at the LOW Community Center and runs on select days through Nov. 15.

Set in Manhattan during the Roaring ’20s, this two-act musical chronicles about 20 years of the life of the eccentric yet philanthropic Mame (Michelle Ditzler) after she’s forced to raise her recently orphaned 11-year-old nephew Patrick (Thomas Gildersleeve) after his father’s death.

Chris Prasse plays Patrick during his college years.

Sporting sparkly, flamboyant dresses and a witty sense of humor, Mame’s lovable character essentially charms everyone she meets — even her nephew’s prudish potential in-laws: Mr. and Mrs. Upson (McFarland and Bobbi Jo Phillips).

Blindsided by the Upsons at a party, Mame learns about Patrick’s plan to marry the uptight Glory Upson.

“Mame, dear. I’ve already planned the wedding. It’s going to be beautiful. I’m already starting to cry,” Mrs. Upson shrieked during the Oct. 18 dress rehearsal. “Your Patrick and our little Glory will be joined at the church of the Heavenly Rest.”

Armed with her sly tactics, Mame successfully thwarts the wedding, encouraging Patrick to marry Pegeen — a woman his aunt believes is more suitable for him and the family’s free-spirited lifestyle.

Adding to her antics, Mame and her best friend Vera Charles (Linda Szymkowiak) encourage Mame’s frumpy secretary Agnes Gooch (Stefannie Smith) to “live” a more spirited lifestyle, which leads to Gooch’s single motherhood.

“There’s nothing wrong with a harmless smooch,” said Mame, handing Gooch a cocktail while encouraging her to “loosen up.”

No worries.

Mame is there to lend her usual, unsolicited, helping hand.

Somehow during all of her charitable meddling, Mame finds time for love.

She marries Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside (Mark Sullivan), a wealthy, Southern oil tycoon, sometime during the Great Depression.

After Burnside’s untimely death, Mame marries Lindsay Woolsey (Jimi Brooks), a New York publisher.

This musical is loosely based on Patrick Dennis’ 1955 book “Auntie Mame.”

Writers Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee transformed the novel into a play.

Want to go?
What: “Mame”
Where: Lake of the Woods Community Center
When: Nov. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m.
Admission: Evening performances $24 for adults and $19 for students; matinee $20 for adults and $18 for students; price includes coffee and dessert
Contact: For more information about this play, visit lowplayers.org or call 972-5928.