Photos by Aaron Sutten
Mame Cast
November 21, 2014 – January 11, 2015
Preview November 20
The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre
Marjorie Arenstein Stage
at Virginia Rep Center
Book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Based on the novel Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
Directed by Patti D’Beck
Starring Tony-Nominated Emily Skinner
And Richmond favorite Desiree Roots Centeio
View the Playbill (PDF)
Full cast bios available in our Playbill
Emily Skinner
Desiree Roots Centeio
Emily Skinner has unequivocally established herself as one of Broadway's most engaging and versatile performers.
This past spring, Emily had the pleasure of starring Off-Broadway in the new musical INVENTING MARY MARTIN. Recently, audiences also enjoyed her in the starring role of Adelaide in the world premiere of THE GREAT AMERICAN MOUSICAL at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre under the direction of Dame Julie Andrews.
She also recently created the role of Monique McCandless in Stephen King/John Mellencamp's new musical THE GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY at the Alliance Theatre and on a multi-city rock n' roll concert tour.
She last appeared on Broadway starring in the acclaimed musical BILLY ELLIOT. Handpicked by Oscar-winning director Stephen Daldry, she had the honor of being the very first American selected to play the role of Billy's dance teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson.
Emily was nominated for a Tony Award (with Alice Ripley) and received a Drama League Award for her performance as Daisy Hilton in the brilliant but short-lived SIDE SHOW.
Her other original Broadway cast credits include JEKYLL & HYDE, JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD (opposite Christopher Walken), THE FULL MONTY, DINNER AT EIGHT (Outer Critics Circle Nomination), as well as The Actors Fund productions of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS and DREAMGIRLS.
She has had the pleasure of singing many times at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops, and appeared there as well in the New York debut of Richard Thomas' infamous JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA (with Harvey Keitel).
As a soloist, she's guested with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Emily has also headlined New York engagements at Merkin Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Town Hall, Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre, Birdland, 54 Below, Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series, Feinstein's at the Regency, as well as her solo concert act BROADWAY HER WAY at various performing arts centers and cabaret venues around the country.
Off-Broadway, Emily performed in the acclaimed City Center Encores revivals of NO STRINGS, PARDON MY ENGLISH, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, and FIORELLO, as well as in various productions and workshops at Manhattan Theatre Club, WPA Theatre, Paramount Theater at Madison Square Gardens, York Theatre, Playwrights Horizons and the Roundabout Theatre.
Regionally, she appeared in numerous leading roles at The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Hangar Theatre, Old Globe Theatre, Ford's Theatre, McCarter Theatre, St. Louis MUNY, Goodspeed, Bucks County Playhouse, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, TheatreVirginia and others.
Her CD recordings include not only multiple cast albums and audio books, but 20th Century Fox's animated feature ANASTASIA; RAW AT TOWN HALL, DUETS, and UNSUSPECTING HEARTS (all with Alice Ripley); ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS, AND RAGING QUEENS; WHEN I GROW UP; THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM ALBUM; WALL TO WALL SONDHEIM; BELIEVE: THE SONGS OF THE SHERMAN BROTHERS; THE STEPHEN SCHWARTZ ALBUM; multiple BROADWAY BY THE YEAR Live at Town Hall recordings, and her self-titled solo CD which may be found at Amazon.com.
Coming up soon: Hal Princes' new show PRINCE OF BROADWAY.
www.emily-skinner.com
Desirée Roots Centeio (Vera) has been showcasing her triple-threat talent for 30+ years and is thrilled to be back on one of her most favorite stages. Richmond audiences last saw her as Sofia in The Color Purple (Virginia Rep), and as Dessa in Dessa Rose (Firehouse Theatre, People’s Choice Award) Other Credits: narrator, Aretha Franklin & Diana Ross, Beehive: TiMoune, Once On This Island; Aldonza. Man of LaMancha; Mazeppa, Gypsy; Nell Ain't MisBehavin; The Cosby Show (NBC): Turn (AMC). In 2004, Desiree received the Theresa Pollack Prize for Vocal Excellence in the Arts. None of these however, beat out her most favorite roles – mommy and wife.