CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS `I REMEMBER MAMA' FRIDAY, SATURDAY

Director Cindy Wyatt had a visceral reason for choosing "I Remember Mama" for the Red Dagger Drama Club spring production at Central High School.

"I always cry when I get to the last page," she said.

The play by John van Druten will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Central High School Auditorium.

"I Remember Mama" is set in San Francisco in 1910 and plays as a reminiscence about the life of a family of first-generation Norwegian immigrants. One of the daughters, Katrin, narrates between vignettes.

This is a family that values family above all else. As Mama says, family is the reason they came to the United States -- not to get rich.

"The whole theme is the strength of family," Wyatt says.

Based on Kathryn Forbes' novel titled "Mama's Bank Account," the play was made into a 1948 movie that garnered five Academy Award nominations. The movie starred Irene Dunne as Mama and Barbara Bel Geddes as Katrin. Edgar Bergen also appeared.

A TV series based on the play was titled "Mama." It ran from 1949-1957 and was one of the most popular of its day. Dick Van Patten played the son, Nels, and latter-day feminist writer Robin Morgan played youngest child Dagmar.

The Central production has a large cast of 23, which is fortunate since 40 students tried out for roles. Some of the school's acting stalwarts will appear in key roles. Among them will be Ginny Overholser, president of the drama club and the lead in last fall's "Wait Until Dark," as Mama.

Nick Ryan, who has played numerous eccentrics in his acting career at Central High School, has another in the bellicose Uncle Chris.

Also appearing in a starring role will be Baby, a cat who plays a cat named Uncle Elizabeth.

"I Remember Mama" is an unabashed love letter to family ties.

"I love the story," Wyatt said. "It's very sentimental...

"Everybody has a sentimental feeling about their mother."