The Riverside High School Theater will present the musical, Mame March 20-22 in the high school auditorium. A cast and crew of over 100 students from the school district will participate in the production directed by Brent Rodgers. This is the 62ND Anniversary of Theatre at Riverside.
Mame is a vibrant and heartwarming musical about the unconventional and spirited Mame Dennis, a wealthy socialite in 1920s New York who lives life to the fullest. When her nephew, Patrick, is unexpectedly placed in her care, Mame’s free-spirited world is turned upside down as she becomes a surrogate mother to him. Amid the backdrop of changing times, Mame navigates romantic entanglements, financial troubles, and a series of ups and downs, all while imparting her bold and optimistic approach to life. With its catchy songs, humor, and poignant moments, Mame celebrates individuality, the importance of family, and the joy of living authentically.
We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is PART TWO in a three-part series about Mame. Featured tomorrow will be part three, a review of the show and gallery of show photos.
Luke Grodson
Part in Musical: I play the part of Ito, Mame’s houseboy.
Current Grade: I am in 11th grade.
Been in musicals/plays since: I’ve been in musicals ever since my first year in high school
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I played a baseball player and the commissioner in Damn Yankees. Last year, I was a Featured Ancestor in the Addams Family.
Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song in this year’s musical is “We Need A Little Christmas.” I was unaware that this song was from the musical Mame and I was really excited to be a part of the performance for the song.
What interested you in this role: I was excited to see how much I could play with my role and to see how much fun I could have with it.
What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I love the fun Christmas decorations that go with “We Need A Little Christmas” along with my classy, sharp tuxedo.
What’s the hardest part about your role: It was very difficult learning to say my lines using broken English. It took a lot of practice to get it exactly on point.
Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: I think all of the characters, including Ito, have helped me truly understand how important it is to have as much fun as you can in life. It is the musical’s theme after all.
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I believe that the audience will really enjoy the humor in this musical. It is so wild and crazy, sometimes it just leaves my jaw dropped.
What is unique about this musical: I didn’t think a musical originally from the 1960s would resonate so much with our current times. For a musical I had never heard of before this year, I didn’t think it would be this great and enjoyable.
If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I just recently saw Wicked on Broadway and I think it would be super fun to play any of the roles in it, especially the Wizard.
What other activities are you involved in: I am in both the High School Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. I am also in our school’s chapter of the Tri-M Honor Society.
Future plans: As of right now, I plan on attending a four-year university after graduation to study history and accounting.
Anything else you would like to add: To my amazing family, thank you so much for everything you have done. You are all the best.
Becca Dugas
Part in Musical: I am Gloria Upson, the dance captain, and a featured dancer.
Current Grade: 12th grade
Been in musicals/plays since: I have been in 7 musicals.
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: In 2019, I was Violet in State Fair. I was a part of the ensemble in Happy Days. My freshman year I was a featured dancer in Matilda. In 2022, I was one of the 3 dance captains and a featured dancer in Damn Yankees. My junior year , The Addams Family, I was the dance captain and a featured dancer. Finally, for my senior year in Mame, I am Gloria Upson, the dance captain, and a featured dancer!
Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song in this musical is “It’s Today”. It is such a fun party song, and I love how upbeat and exciting the number is!
What interested you in this role: I did not know much about Gloria at first, but the more I play her, the more I love her. She is a very privileged girl and thinks she is the absolute best person in the world. I’m excited to see what the audience thinks of her!
What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: My favorite part of my costume is one of Gloria’s dresses, which is a gorgeous purple and white dress with purple flowers on it. I have had my eye on this dress every year, and I always dreamed of wearing it since I was in 6th grade performing in my first musical at Riverside. One of the leads wore this dress in State Fair, and I have wanted to wear it ever since. It is like a little dream come true!
What’s the hardest part about your role: The hardest part about my role is my character voice. Gloria is supposed to be super annoying and say everything very over the top and I find it hard to keep it up sometimes.
Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Gloria has taught me how different people act when they are brought up differently by their families. She is very privileged so its interesting her mannerisms compared to how I usually act. Also, not a character, but being dance captain for the past three years has taught me so much about leadership and being in a role that people look to for help.
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: Mame has so many components to it that I believe everyone watching will like something different than the person sitting next to them. The dance in this musical is super intense and exciting, so I think many people will enjoy it. This musical is also super funny and I believe the audience will be laughing the entire time.
What is unique about this musical: Mame has so many different settings, from NYC to the south. I think its so unique to have so many characters with different backgrounds and cultures!
If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I could have any role in any musical, I would love to be Karen Smith from Mean Girls! She is so ditzy and always in her own little world and overall such a funny character. It would be such a dream if I got to play her someday!
What other activities are you involved in: I was a cheerleader for 10 years and I have also been a part of the chamber choir all four years of high school.
Future plans: In the fall of 2025, I will be attending Kent State University to get my bachelor’s degree in Public Relations!
Austin Haley
Part in Musical: I play Junior Babcock in the musical Mame and assist the stage crew
Current Grade: I´m a senior.
Been in musicals/plays since: I have participated in musicals since 8th grade.
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Last year, I was a featured dancer(gambler) in the Addams family.
Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song is How Young I feel.
What interested you in this role: He had a couple of lines but not a whole lot. He was also another feature dancer role, which has a decent amount of dancing.
What’s the hardest part about your role: Probably the hardest part is probably acting like a smoker when you don´t like smoking in general or are not okay with it.
Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: To be honest, I don´t think my character has taught me anything.
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will possibly like it because it is something different and not something that has been done repeatedly.
What is unique about this musical: The uniqueness of the musical is that it is an old show and not something that is shown a whole lot.
If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I could be any part in any musical, it would be a leerie in Mary Poppins. The dances are cool in Mary Poppins, and it’s one of my favorite musicals and movies.
What other activities are you involved in: Other activities I am involved in: Boy Scouts and Archery.
Future plans: possibly the Air Force Reserves or the National Guard, or something with entrepreneurship.
Anything else you would like to add: Quote: ¨no matter how many challenges come across your path, keep working hard and don´t quit, because once you achieve success you will appreciate that decision on not quitting.
Kelsey Bush
Part In Musical: Stage Manager
Current grade: 11th
Been in musicals/plays since: 2021
Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Happy Days, Matilda, Damn Yankees, Addams Family, Mame; As Lobby crew for 1 year, stage crew for 1 year and stage manager 3
Favorite Song in this musical: That’s how young I feel
What interested you in this role: I was selected by our old producer based on my leadership skills and how well I worked in stage crew. I continued to pursue this position because I enjoy leading, helping and having higher position in the behind the scenes aspect of musical.
What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: Bugle. Its my favorite prop because Mame sings a song with the bugle and its one of the songs that will stick with the people after they leave the musical
What’s the hardest part about your role: people actually listening to the stage managers and keeping quiet when we ask
What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think they will like the show, because its not a very well known show and since its not well known, schools are not over doing it and no one will really know they show unless they’ve actually seen it or seen the movie.
What is unique about this musical: The time period this show is set in, I feel like you don’t see or hear of a lot of musicals that are set in the certain time period that Mame is set in.
What other activities are you involved in: Softball
Future plans: As of right now, I’m not exactly sure but if I had to make a decision, then I would choose to do either Labor and Deliver nurse or becoming a nurse, but at a children’s hospital
Anything else you would like to add: I just want to thank everyone who is making this Musical happen this year, I know this was a more difficult year, but I just want to thank all the directors and everyone in the cast for making this musical happen and making it a rememberable one.
Complete Cast List:
Alexa Anderson, Toni Baker, Dominic Basile, Brian Beige, Xander Bell, Sam Blatchford, Bud Blythe, Chloe Boots, Wyatt Burry, Kelsey Bush, Allison Catalano, Ryleigh Clyde, Abby Cook, Roman Cummings, Jianna Curcio, Joelle Curcio, Miryssah Dabney, Kora Deasey, Addison Drake, Stevie Drake, Becca Dugas, Chase Emerick, Jasmine Ewing, Mary Frazer, Corrina Freed, Ainslee Freshcorn, Ian Funkhouser, Luke Grodson, Austin Haley, Izzy Hall, Jacob Hall, Hannah Hart, Natalie Holler, Haylie Holtom, Donovan Hunter, Madison Jakubowski, Corban Knight, Jordan-Michelle Koon, Alex Koon, Jada Lemanski, Kyah Lemley, Harper Lewis, Sydney Lewis, Molly Linville, Andy Locke, Megan Lutz, Owen Maddix, Kaiden McDowell, Quentin McKinney, Emily Miller, Morgan Myers, Andrew Paff, Shane Parker, Ryleigh Parks, Lyra Pflugh, McKayleigh Reid, Andre Rippy, Peter Ruggeri, Madison Runyan, Anastasia Ryan, Drew Schlosser, Ace Sharer, Cheyenne Smith, Cameron Swesey, Jonah Tritt, Eilyana Vete, Tristan Weaver, Aurora Weaver, Hailey Whipple, Julia Wright, Scott Zellem, Elisabetta “Kip” Zona.
Don’t miss the show:
- Thursday March 20-7:30 p.m.
- Friday March 21-7:30 p.m.
- Saturday March 22–7:30 p.m.
All tickets for these performances are $12.00 and can be purchased HERE.
If you have questions, email the Producer at brodgers@rbcsd.com.
Mame is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
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