#69: Mame

June 22, 2026 Leave a comment
  • Performances: 1,508.
  • Open / Close: May 24, 1966 – January 3, 1970
  • Theater: The Winter Garden Theatre.
  • Tony Awards: Nominated for 8 awards, “Mame” won three, all for actors. Angela Lansbury won for her landmark lead performance, Frankie Michaels became the youngest Tony Award winner ever (a record that still stands) for his appearance as Patrick and Bea Arthur took home the other Featured Performance in a Musical Tony for Vera. “Mame” lost Best Musical to “Man of La Mancha” and, surprisingly, the costumes weren’t nominated at all!
  • Fun Fact: As mentioned in the podcast, 39 different actresses were seriously considered for the lead role and dozens of the acting world’s biggest names auditioned. Among them were Mary Martin, Katharine Hepburn, Phyllis Diller, Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, Geraldine Page, Nanette Fabray, Kitty Carlisle, Lauren Bacall, Maggie Smith and Judy Garland.

Podcast

The energy of a live show cannot be duplicated but listening to this episode is the next best thing to being in the room where the Chasing Phantom live event happened. Most Valuable Guest and dear friend of the program, Phil Crosby, brings his extensive knowledge of theater history to bear in this lively conversation about “Mame,” a show that cemented the vision of a rich, eclectic, cultured, and fabulously entertaining aunt in popular culture.

There’s no underplaying the influence and popularity of this story, beyond just the Broadway show. The book by Patrick Dennis was on best seller lists for over two years, the straight play was a big hit on Broadway and the movie version of the straight play also did big box office. The “intellectual property” was such a hot commodity that 39 of the biggest names on Broadway and in Hollywood were considered for the lead in the musical adaptation.

Phil and I cover all of that history plus other amazing stories related to the show in this live event recording. Also featured are complete renditions of two shows from the musical by three exceptional performers, Bianca Bryan, Luke Newsome and Calvin Malone.

Below are the images displayed during the live podcast event where Phil and I talked about “Mame.”

“Mame” was adapted from a book that became a popular play that was adapted into a popular movie, which spawned a musical that was also ultimately adapted into a movie musical.
Angela Lansbury was the stage musical star but before her, Rosalind Russell was considered the ultimate “Mame.” In contrast, no one ended up thinking Lucille Ball was right for the role.
When “Mame” hit Broadway, it was heralded across all media at the time, launching already seasoned star Lansbury into superstardom.
The supporting cast had plenty of memorable actors including Bea Arthur, youngest Tony Award winner Frankie Michaels, Jane Connell and Sab Shimono.

Replacements for “Mame” made their own indelible impressions.
Richmond’s own Emily Skinner was Agnes Gooch in the Kennedy Center production but later took the lead role in our local production.
“Mame” has had an ongoing cultural impact, particularly in the gay community and in the drag scene.
Best quality video of these two together.
Footage from the Tonys is usually better than this but it’s better than nothing!
It’s not great quality but you can watch the entire 1983 revival production with Lansbury.
It’s even worse quality but here are scenes from the original in 1966.

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