Comedian Vicki Lawrence’s brilliant alter ego “Mama” Thelma Harper is back, eager to share her observations about political happenings, cultural trends and domestic struggles with the same spit and vinegar that won hearts across the land. Lawrence, an Emmy Award-winning actress, will also be on hand, dispensing her savvy humor and performance memories from her cherished time on “The Carol Burnett Show” (1967-1978) and in her own spin-off series, “Mama’s Family” (1983-1990).
“Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show” at the Spencer Theater on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. is a multi-media stand-up comedy production that’s two shows in one. The first half features hilarious sitcom and variety show clips and Lawrence’s many behind-the-scenes tales followed by the support-hose-wearing, sassy senior citizen “Mama” in the second half.
Audiences see that, somehow or another, “Mama” hasn’t aged a day in the past 30-plus years. She was first created in a sketch entitled “The Family” on the Carol Burnett Show. Featuring Lawrence as the loudmouth matriarch of a squabbling blue-collar family in the Midwest and Burnett as her ornery daughter Eunice, the skit struck gold with viewers and thereafter became a regular feature on Burnett’s variety show. So, when Burnett’s long-running variety show went off the air in the late 70s, it was natural to reprise the character in a spin-off TV sitcom that busted guts for seven years.
Be there – and prepare to have Mama wandering through the audience, perhaps picking on a person here and there while issuing salty advice – and just know you’ll be laughing into tears.
Excellent seats are available to both shows for $63-$69. Call the Spencer box office at 575-336-4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com for tickets. There will also be a 6 p.m. pre-show buffet available at the evening performance. Tickets are $20.