Dee Ann Woods is set to take the stage for the first time with the Theatre Company of Sun City in their spring production of Mame, the madcap musical about an eccentric socialite suddenly faced with the task of raising her young nephew. Woods portrays nephew Patrick’s faithful nanny Agnes Gooch, who sticks out like a sore thumb in Mame’s world of elegant New York parties.
“Gooch wears these orthopedic Oxfords and she dresses like a frump,” says Woods about her character. “It’s a fun role. She’s the good Catholic girl and she’s in with Mame who is a high-flying, big-living, big-life type of person. She has to kind of grow into this family.”
Woods wasn’t familiar with the musical until this past January, when she and her best friend sat down to watch the 1974 movie version, Auntie Mame (starring Lucille Ball) together.
“She told me, ‘oh yeah, you’ll get the part of Gooch!’” remembers Woods, who says she would have been thrilled just to get a background part in the ensemble. “But my best friend sort of spoke it into being, if you believe in that kind of stuff. She just put it out there.”
Since moving to Del Webb in 2020 with her husband, Woods says even if they are traveling out of town, they make sure to get tickets to the Sun City Productions. “We don’t miss the musicals,” she says.
Assistant Director Linda Davis has been with the theater company since the very beginning, when her husband Peter co-founded it in 2003. She says this is only the second time Mame has been performed since it was staged at Sun City in 2009.
“It’s amazing when you think about the fact that there are people on stage in their late 80s, singing and dancing,” she says. “Once you get into the show, you totally forget that the people on stage [other than the child actors] live in Sun City. I’m in awe of what they’re capable of doing.”
Amongst the veterans of the stage, Woods feels welcomed as the newcomer. “I hope I can do the cast good,” she laughs. “I’m the klutziest of the bunch. They’re so professional and they have a system, but they are patient with me while I catch up. Mame, oh my word! Cynthia Church, who plays the lead role, shows up to every rehearsal and she has her lines, she has her music, and she’s one of the most encouraging people. It’s phenomenal.”
Woods thinks the audience will appreciate Mame for the same reasons she sought out live theater: “I needed something lighthearted and upbeat, you know. The world is not an upbeat place right now. I hope the people who come see it get a few good belly laughs.”
Mame Performance Dates: Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m.; Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m.
Tickets for Mame can be purchased Tuesday, March 25 in Drendel Ballroom 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Monday, April 14 in the Cedar Room, 9 a.m.to 12 p.m.; or Monday, April 21 in the Cedar Room, 1-4 p.m. Cash or check only. Ticket information: (847) 515-8545 or (847) 515-1583.
