Hometown News and Views

By Judy Wilson
PELICAN STAFF
Pompano Beach - “Auntie Mame,” the classic comedy about a flamboyant lady and the young nephew placed in her care, comes to the Herb Skolnick Center later this month with an engaging case of characters, many of them new to the Curtain Call Players.
“Honestly? This will be a wonderful production. We picked so many talented performers from the many, many who auditioned. This is a very funny show,” said Kris Coffelt, artistic director of the Curtain Call Playhouse.
Coffelt herself plays the rambunctious Mame. “It’s the role of a lifetime,” she said comparing it to another highlight of her career, her dramatic portrayal of Queen Eleanor in “The Lion in Winter.”
This “Auntie Mame” is directed by Steve Chamber, a playwrite, performer and director. “It’s a joy to have him with us,” Coffelt said.  The play was first performed in the ‘50s coming to Broadway after Patrick Dennis [Mame’s nephew in real life] wrote a novel in 1955 about his life and times with his aunt. It is not the musical version, “Mame,” but makes up for that with the “wonderful and witty dialogue” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, Coffelt said.
With a cast of 20 that make multiple costume changes for the fast-paced scenes, the play moves along at an energetic clip. The costumes, about 80 in all, have been created by Chuck Roeder of Oakland Park.
This is the 16th season for Curtain Call Playhouse which annually mounts four productions: a musical, a musical revue, a comedy and an adult performance for children. In addition, the Playhouse holds workshops and camps for young thespians.  Coffelt says Pompano Beach the Player’s hometown. Rehearsals are at the Emma Lou Olson Center.
Starring with her in “Auntie Mame,” are Brian Inerfeld, as the young Patrick. Inerfeld is a veteran of the musical. The older Patrick is played by Eric Salas,  Lindsey is played by Peter King, Beau by William Roach, Vera by Tera Young and Mr. Babcock, Mame’s nemesis, by Joel Kylker. Several of these main players, have not been on the Curtain Call stage in the past.
“Even the minor characters have a scene written for them. They are very defined characters,” Coffelt said.
Opening night of “Auntie Mame,” Friday, Nov. 30, is being sponsored by the City of Pompano Beach and includes dinner. Tickets are $30.
The matinee show, $20, is Sunday, Dec. 2. The Skolnick Center is at 800 SW 36 Ave.
The show goes to the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton, 300 S. Military Trail, for another five performances through Dec. 16. For performance times, check the website or box office, 954-784-0768.
Next production for Curtain Call Players is “Kiss me Kate,” which plays Jan 27 to Mar. 16. Curtain Call Playhouse is a not-for-profit theatre that tours Broward and Palm Beach counties.