'Mama' knows best

"I Remember Mama" opens with writer Katrin Hansen (Katie Jenkins) recalling the days a decade into the 20th century when her family sat around the kitchen table while her mother counted out enough money to pay the week's bills and buy a daughter a notebook. For this family of Norwegian immigrants in San Francisco, life is rich if the bank account is not.

Like "The Waltons," "I Remember Mama" is a paean to the richness of the shared life in a family despite all the quirks and sacrifices and jealousies and crises. The Hansens live by customs transferred from "the old country" and adapted to new situations. Always, Mama knows best.

Nicely paced by director by Gerry Strohmeyer, the memory play is authentically-costumed, well-rehearsed and assuredly acted. It will be presented by the St. Vincent de Paul Youth Ministry tonight and Friday and Saturday nights.

Almost everybody in the cast must affect a Norwegian accent, and they do so serviceably. The cast also look quite comfortable in clothing that was popular 100 years ago.

Stacy Dohogne demonstrates the skills of a fine actress as Mama, the saintly matriarch who nevertheless is capable of impersonating a nurse when hospital rules forbid seeing her ailing daughter or of hunting down a famous author who could help with Katrin's dreams of becoming a writer.

"Mama" might put a lump in your throat as you remember your own.

Chris Shank plays mild-mannered Papa, a man who is smart enough to have married Mama.

Jenkins embodies the headstrong and sensitive Katrin perfectly.

Claire Edwards plays Dagmar, the youngest daughter who will come to believe Mama has the power to make sick animals healthy. Mama sometimes succeeds in spite of herself.

Rachel Roggow is Christine, the daughter who is jealous of the attention Katrin receives. Ben Essner is irritatingly loud as the irritatingly loud and obnoxious Uncle Chris, the family head whose scowl hides something else.

Joe Schnell plays Mr. Hyde, the boarder who never pays rent but leaves the family a priceless gift. Adam Fenwick is Nels, the son who wants to become a doctor.

The semi-evil sisters Aunt Sigfrid (Danielle Schumer) and Aunt Jenny (Theresa Yoffie) keep the family pot stirred. Their favorite target is Aunt Trina (Lauren Mehner), the old maid sister whose sudden marriage proposal startles almost everyone.

Andrew Strohmeyer plays Aunt Trina's love interest, Mr. Thorkelson the funeral director. It's a casting decision that should tickle people who know the ebullient Strohmeyer.

Others in small but key roles are Justin Spaeth as Dr. Johnson, Gina Kuntz as writer Florence Dana Moorehead, and Cole Jenkins as Arne, Aunt Sigfrid's ailing son.

Playing smaller roles are Sara Shafer, Ashley Dix, Rachael Unterreiner, Chelsea Spaeth, Austin Critchlow, Rita Jo Dirnberger, Lauren Essner, Ali Martin, Chris Meyer, Mark Unterreiner and Jessie Westrich.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182