Origin Theatrical

 

I REMEMBER MAMA

For his final score, Richard Rodgers turned to a play he and Hammerstein had produced on Broadway 35 years earlier that had gone on to become a modern classic. Set in San Francisco following the turn of the century, this story of a Norwegian family's survival in the New World is told in retrospect by the eldest daughter, a successful writer recounting the start of her career and the childhood that inspired it. She takes us back to relive familial hardships and triumphs including the near loss of their home, Papa's desperate return to Norway when he can no longer find work, and the sale of her first story-this one. But, of course, it's Mama she remembers most of all, always guiding their precarious journey with a firm hand and a warm heart.
 

Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS 2 Women 2 Men 4 Girls 1 Boy FEATURED 3 Women 2 Men COMMENTS Singing-dancing ensemble with some small roles CHARACTERS Mama Papa Katrin Christine Dagmar Johanna Nils Aunt Trina Aunt Jenny Aunt Sigrid Peter Thorkelson Uncle Chris Lucy Dame Sybil Fitzgibbons McGuire Arne Doctor Anderson Nurse Seamen Chorus

Set Requirements: I REMEMBER MAMA takes place in San Francisco from the Spring of 1910 through the Summer of 1911. SPECIFIC LOCATIONS Kitchen and Dining Room of the Hansen House on Steiner Street The Hansen Parlor The Hansen Kitchen The Hospital The Hansen Back Porch Lobby of the Fairmont Hotel Uncle Chris' Ranch

Genre / Style: Musical, Historical

Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Rehearsal Set 20 Libretto-Vocal Books, 2 PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE. Orchestration Package (23 Books) 1 FLUTE I (Doubling Piccolo), 1 FLUTE II (Doubling Piccolo), 1 OBOE (Doubling English Horn), 1 CLARINET I, 1 CLARINET II, 1 BASSOON (Doubling Bass Clarinet), 1 HORN I, 1 HORN II, 1 HORN III, 1 TRUMPET I, 1 TRUMPET II, 1 TROMBONE, 1 TUBA, 1 PERCUSSION, 1 VIOLIN A (Divisi), 1 VIOLIN B (Divisi), 1 VIOLIN C (Divisi), 1 VIOLA (Divisi), 1 CELLO (Divisi), 1 BASS, 1 HARP, 1 PIANO/CELESTE, 1 PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE.

Musical Numbers: I Remember Mama, A Little Bit More, A Writer Writes At Night, Ev'ry Day (Comes Something Beautiful), You Could Not Please Me More, A Most Disagreeable Man, Lullaby, Easy Come Easy Go, When, Time.

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Book by Thomas Meehan
Additional Lyrics by Raymond Jessel
Based on the play by John Van Druten

"A charming family musical...If you liked THE SOUND OF MUSIC and ANNIE, you'll love I REMEMBER MAMA!"
Houston Chronicle, 2004

"Embellished with the ageless freshness of Rodgers, one of the supreme artists of our musical theatre, back in a superbly lyrical vein...the kind of Mama we would all want to remember."
Newsday

"Pure, rich Rodgers...the songs burst from Rodgers' amazing fount of melody...meaty tunes that stick to the ribs...the score surges with confidence and youth and has the appealing lilt, warmth and optimism of any Rodgers musical."
San Francisco Chronicle