I Remember Mama - Calvin Christian School

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I Remember Mama


I Remember Mama

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Alice in Wonderland

Flowers for Algernon

Les Mis

Visual Arts

I Remember Mama

Set in San Francisco around 1910, I Remember Mama is the story of an immigrant Norwegian family.

After reading and listening to this story many times, questions began to emerge as we listened to the dialogue. What is family? In Act I, Uncle Chris says, “Is fine thing. You do not know how fine. Katrine, one day when you grow up, maybe you know what a fine thing family is.” Later, Mama says to Katrine, “We come to America because they are all here—all the others. Is good for families to be together.”

As the play continues, we learn more about Uncle Chris and his wife, Jessie, and a different question emerged. Who is family?—not too unlike a question we have all heard countless times—Who is my neighbor? In Act II, Mama says, “It is what Lars and I have always wanted for Nels. To help people who suffer…” Uncle Chris replies, “Is the greatest thing in the world. It is to have a little of God in you.”

Cast of Characters

Katrin………………………………………………….Hannah Brenton

Mama……………………………………………..…Ashley Berkenpas

Papa…………………………………..……………..Matthew De Vries

Dagmar………………………………………...……Elizabeth Johnson

Christine…………………………………………..…………Jeni Kanis

Mr. Hyde………………………………………………Isaac Clipperton

Nels………………………………………….………Todd Youngblood

Aunt Trina……………………………………..………Ellen De Young

Aunt Sigrid…………………………………..……………Emily Groen

Aunt Jenny………………………………………….....Ella Duchatelier

Uncle Chris……………………………………………....Zack Petersen

A Woman (Jessie)……………………………………….....Sarah Roen

Mr. Thorkelson………………………………………...……Josh Silker

Dr. Johnson……………………………………………Jacob Teunissen

Arne…………………………………………………..…..Brian Estrem

Nurse……………………………………………..……..Jordan Severin

Soda Clerk……………………………………..………..Rachel Mulder

Madeline………………………………………………...Rachel Mulder

Dorothy Schiller………………………………….……Hannah Nedrud

Florence Dana Moorhead……………………………...Hannah Nedrud

Bell-Boy………………………..…………………………Brian Estrem

Stage crew: Kyle Brandes, Rachel Mulder, Hannah Nedrud

Sound/Lights: Kyle Erffmeyer, Eleanor Starika

Act I

The central location for this act is Mama’s kitchen, where this family’s story begins, and where much of the action occurs. Other locations are as follows (in order of appearance):

Jenny’s kitchen

The hospital corridor

Arne’s hospital room

Act II

Again, the central location for this act is Mama’s kitchen. It is where their story began and where it ends. However, in Act II, action occurs in other locations as well, including the following (in order of appearance):

A coffee shop

A sidewalk near the children’s school

The school—a dressing room for the play

Jenny’s parlor

A train station

Uncle Chris’ home

Trina and Mr. Thorkelson’s home

Lobby of the Fairmont Hotel

Director’s Notes

I Remember Mama is set in San Francisco around 1910 and is the story of an immigrant Norwegian family. Like all quality scripts, the dialogue and characterizations are rich. We get little glimpses into various parts of this family’s life. In the seamless transitions from scene to scene, we sense the interconnectedness of their lives, and the importance of that connectedness—the importance of their relationships.

After reading and listening to this story many times, questions began to emerge as I listened to the dialogue. What is family? In Act I, Uncle Chris says, “Is fine thing. You do not know how fine. Katrine, one day when you grow up, maybe you know what a fine thing family is.” Later, Mama says to Katrine, “We come to America because they are all here—all the others. Is good for families to be together.”

It has been a joy for me to work with this group of students as well as the play—to work with a plot that is structured quite differently from most. My hope is that you will enjoy the humor and the characters, and that you will be blessed by the message this story brings. Enjoy the show!

Wendell Schaap

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