Vicki Lawrence, 'Mama' keep Palace Theatre audience laughing
Vicki Lawrence and Mama had the sold-out crowd laughing hysterically, and at times on their feet applauding loudly, on Sunday afternoon at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
“Vicki Lawrence and Mama — A Two Woman Show” is an hour and a half of Lawrence sharing stories of her life from being on “The Carol Burnett Show” to going on to be the star of “Mama’s Family.” She sang her hit song “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” and then Mama stopped by to offer words of wisdom on everything from politics to same-sex couples.
Lawrence appeared on CBS’s “The Carol Burnett Show” for the entire series run. One such character she created on the series was Thelma Harper — we know her as Mama. Lawrence, took the character to NBC’s “Mama’s Family” series. She was 24 when she first played the part of Mama.
On Sunday, she talked about how a fan letter to Burnett telling her of the frequent comments about Lawrence’s resemblance to Burnett. That letter led to a life-long working relationship and friendship with Burnett.
She shared stories about her husband Al who tried Cialis and hurt his back —“trying to carry those two bathtubs to the beach.” When she hears the word “WikiLeaks” on television she thinks of “VickiLeaks.”
Mama came on stage after about 45 minutes and talked about same-sex relationships in which “two men would drive around for hours not asking for directions.”
She talked about President Donald Trump’s hair which seems to not been cut in his two years in office. She said she “pulls better hair out of her shower drain.”
Mama asked the crowd, “Who the hell y’all taking a picture of? Like you’ve seen an old woman before? Here, let me give you my best side.” She then turned around and showed her backside.
She said, “You know what I don’t understand? Caitlin Jenner. Well, what the hell? I don’t know. I guess you spend that many years in a closet — all them woman’s clothes start looking good to you. I’ve got to say this you all. I think this changing thing. At her age? Who the hell wants to turn into a woman just in time for menopause?”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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