Starlight Presents “I Remember Mama” in Williamstown July 23-26

Williamstown, MA – The Starlight Stage Youth Theatre presents "I Remember Mama" by John Van Druten as its 33rd season production at the First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown on July 23-26 at 8 pm.

Based on the delightful 1943 memoir “Mama’s Bank Account” by Kathryn Forbes, “I Remember Mama” details the trials and tribulations of a Norwegian immigrant family as they adapt to American life in 1910 San Francisco.  Financial hardships, childhood illnesses, the near-death of a beloved pet, and normal family disputes as the older generation and old country ways give way to the new generation and the future highlight this heart-warming comedy beloved by generations.

Van Druten’s play opened on Broadway in 1944 and ran for two years. It was made into a popular film in 1948, and an equally popular CBS television series ran from 1949 to early 1957. Richard Rodgers wrote the score for a 1979 musical stage version starring Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann, which had only a brief Broadway run.

Interestingly, many well known actors have played the role of Nels; Marlon Brando made his Broadway debut in the role in the original play, Dick Van Patten played the part on TV, and Ian Ziering, of Beverly Hills 90210 fame, was cast in the role in the stage musical.

A popular and prolific playwright and director, Van Druten wrote “I Am a Camera,” the play which became the basis for the musical “Cabaret,” and directed the original Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I.”  He collaborated again with Forbes and adapted her book “Bell, Book, and Candle” into a successful Broadway play which in turn became a Hollywood hit.

The 2008 Starlight Company comes from a wide variety of local cities and towns. Appearing in the production from North Adams & Clarksburg are Chris Donovan, Emma Gregory, Leah Miller, Brianna Richardson, and Thalia Rossitter

From Williamstown:  Aaron Burns, Co-Director Brandon Burns, Maggie Crane, Lauren Diamond, Alina Fein, Molly Hynes, Sarah Kelly, Jeremy Mossoliani, Andrew Overstreet, Rebekah Packer, Damien Sharp, Grace Singleton, and Christian Trotter

From Stamford, VT: Evan Schueckler

From New York, NY: Stella Bernstein

The First Congregational Church is located at 906 Main Street, (Rt. 2) in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Parking is available behind the church in the lot off of Chapin Hall Drive. The Fellowship Hall where Starlight performs is fully handicap accessible. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children, available at the door.  Reservations are not necessary.  For more information call 413-458-4246, e-mmil ssyt@adelphia.net, or visit www.starlightstageyouththeatre.com