Forget silent nights. Friends of George’s is bringing holiday drama, Hollywood divas, and ABBA hits to the stage with Mamma Dearest! Here We Joan Again, a campy musical comedy making its Mid-South regional premiere November 6th to 21st at Evergreen Theatre. The production also marks a first for the Memphis theater company: its first-ever live musical, complete with singing and dancing.
Written by Blake Fountain, the show follows Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of Joan Crawford, who invites three Hollywood icons — Bette Davis, Judy Garland, and Eartha Kitt — home for Christmas after discovering one could be her birth mother. Armed with Joan Crawford’s scandal-filled diaries, the gathering quickly devolves into diva rivalries, power ballads, catfights, and flying martinis.
“It’s our first-ever musical, and we are thrilled about it,” says Rick Bartl, board chair and president of Friends of George’s and a resident company member. After seeing the show’s world premiere at Atlanta’s Out Front Theatre Company last year, the group knew it wanted to bring the production to Memphis. It’s also the company’s first show acquired from an outside playwright, expanding beyond its signature original comedies.
For director and choreographer Courtney Oliver, the production offers an exciting new challenge. Accustomed to developing original material and incorporating improvisation, the cast is now working with a structured script while taking on singing and dancing.
Audiences can expect familiar ABBA favorites with a theatrical twist. Inspired by Mamma Mia!, the choreography pairs recognizable melodies with rewritten lyrics tailored to the outrageous holiday storyline. One number even transforms “Dancing Queen” into “Christmas Tree.”
Hollywood-inspired Easter eggs add another layer of fun, including nods to the infamous Crawford-Davis rivalry, The Wizard of Oz, and Mommie Dearest. But audiences don’t need to know the stars to enjoy the laughs.
Now in its 17th season, Friends of George’s continues its mission of celebrating queer culture and camp, and creating a welcoming space for audiences. The nonprofit also donates a portion of its seasonal revenue to local organizations. This year’s beneficiary is OUTMemphis, which empowers, connects, and advocates for the Mid-South LGBTQ community.
Whether you’re an ABBA fan or a lover of Hollywood melodrama, Mamma Dearest! offers 90 minutes of unapologetic holiday entertainment. All seating is reserved, and the full bar opens one hour before curtain.
MAMMA DEAREST! HERE WE JOAN AGAIN, EVERGREEN THEATRE, 1705 POPLAR AVE., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6-SATURDAY, NOvember 21.
