Welk Resorts, Escondido
through Sunday May 22
1 pm matinee each day
In Act I of Vicki Lawrence and Mama Vicki tells stories that everyone loves to hear: how she first met Carol Burnett, her husband Al Schultz, observations about life especially for women...oft times poking fun at their men, reminding one of a tamer Roseanne... and a song or two. In fact, as herself Vicki sings ex-husband Bobby Goldsboro's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" which was her big hit in 1973 and the cute theme song she penned for Mama's Family entitled "Bless My Happy Home", which unfortunately ended up on the shelf.
In Act II the audience is treated to outtakes from Mama's Family followed by Mama herself, the cantankerous old bat, who talks about everything from sex and nudity on the beach to assisting Obama with illegals at the border and FEMA (Federal Expenses Mismanaged Again). There's talk about gas prices, bedbugs, even birthing babies. And who can pass on ex-governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger? "The Terminator is a fornicator!" she bellows, "And who said he doesn't fit in with the Kennedys?" She's dependably outspoken and a hoot and also performs one great big hilarious number called "Mama's Rap" where she gets down and shakes her ample booty. As a finale she offers "One" from A Chorus Line replete with top hat and red boa. Vicki quickly returns after Mama's exit, clad in a silky orange robe and thanks the audience for listening to Mama, who she claims just does not get out enough. She then sings a lovely warm "For All We Know" to end the show.
Vicki is a funny lady who really opens up and verges on the obscene with Mama. This is by far the best character she played on the Burnett show and she lets her run with a reckless abandonment, which audiences relish. I would love to see Mama's "One" be a whole chorus line of Mamas on a screen behind her while she shakes and shimmies live. It would make the finale much bigger and saucier than it currently is. Mama's got the fever, so go for broke! As is, Vicki Lawrence and Mama is up close and open and wonderfully enjoyable. It's particularly great to see the rather quiet Vicki let her hair down as herself, reminding one of her somewhat sarcastic quips from her talk show days.
check out our interview on my Interview BLOG!!
http://grigwaretalkstheatre.blogspot.com/2011/05/interview-with-vicki-lawrence.html
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