Author Archives: robbucher

Xenia Area Community Theater announces open auditions for I REMEMBER MAMA by John Van Druten
Adapted from Kathryn Forbes’ book Mama’s Bank Account.

John Van Druten’s gratifyingly sentimental play shows how Mama, with the help of her husband and Uncle Chris, brings up the children in their modest San Francisco home during the early years of the 20th century. Mama, a sweet and capable manager, sees her children through childhood, manages to educate them, and helps one of her daughters begin her career as a writer. Mama’s sisters and uncle furnish a rich background for a great deal of comedy and a little incidental tragedy, while the doings of the children keep everyone in pleasant turmoil.

Auditions: March 2 and 3, 2026 at 7pm (if you need to make special arrangements e-mail Debra.Zweber@gmail.com
Auditions are cold readings from the script
Tech Week: Monday, May 5, 2026 through Thursday, May 7, 2026
Production Dates: May 8th, 2026 through May 17th, 2026.

CAST DESCRIPTION
**This is a large cast! Please help spread the word to your friends, acquaintances, people on the street, etc. There are many parts that are smaller than usual (but still challenging) so if anyone is unsure about acting this is a good show to start with or if you are short on time for learning lines. Also, backstage help is needed if anyone wants to volunteer but not be on stage**

Main Characters (the Hanson Family)

• Marta (Mama) Hanson: The loving, wise, and resourceful matriarch who manages the family budget and keeps them together. Age 40’s or 50’s
• Katrin Hanson: The eldest daughter and aspiring writer who narrates the play and looks back on her upbringing. Ages 16 – 17 and early 20’s both played by the same actress.
• Lars (Papa) Hanson; a hardworking ship’s carpenter. Age 40’s or 50’s
• Nels Hanson: the eldest and only son. Age 18 or so.
• Christine Hanson: daughter slightly younger than Katrin.
• Dagmar Hanson: youngest child (age loves animals.

Extended Family and Supporting Characters

• Uncle Chris Halvorsen: Mama’s gruff, wealthy, but kind-hearted older brother. Age late 40’s to early 60’s
• Aunt Jenny: Mama’s oldest sister, bossy and opinionated. Age mid 40’s to 50’s (younger than Uncle Chris).
• Aunt Sigrid: Mama’s sister, a follower, all talk. Age 30’s to early 40’s
• Aunt Trina: Mama’s “baby” sister. Very timid. Age early 30’s
• Mr. Hyde: A charming, educated boarder who reads to the family. Age variable
• Florence Dana Moorhead: A famous author who encourages Katrin’s writing. Larger woman of mature age.
• Peter Thorkelson: A timid man who courts Aunt Trina. Age 30’s to 40’s.
• Stray Cat: any color but should be adult (not kitten) and calm enough to be carried in Dagmar’s arms wrapped in a blanket while on stage (not very long). Should also be able to yowl and whine on cue – ok that’s probably too much to ask LOL

Other parts (some may be doubled)

• THE woman (Jessie)
• Dr. Johnson
• Arne (child)
• Nurse 1
• Nurse 2
• Soda Clerk
• Madeline (teen)
• Dorothy Schiller (teen)
• Bell-Boy
• Scrubwoman, Nurses, Doctors and Hotel guests

We will also need at least 2 for the stage crew.