The award winning Bothell High School Theatre Arts Department presents the heart-warming family favorite, “I Remember Mama” by John van Druten opening Thursday, January 8, at the Northshore Performing Arts Center.

Through the eyes of the eldest daughter, Katrin, the audience shares in the stories of the dreams and tribulations of the Hansons, a family of Norwegian immigrants in 1910

San Francisco. Katrin steps in and out of the action and tells the audience how she came to write the family stories as an adult, while also playing a part in them as a young woman.

Throughout the play, we see Mama Hanson shepherd her family with a moving mixture of humanity, courage and sheer, motherly strength.

Audiences will not be able to resist this close-knit, extended family filled with people who are sometimes ridiculous but always relevant.

The Hansons’ struggle financially because they want to avoid using their bank account. Maiden Aunt Trina deals with family prejudice to marry her suitor, a diminutive undertaker. And everyone puts up with the head of the family, Uncle Chris, who blusters, shouts and bullies his way right into the audience’s hearts. Through it all, Mama is a pillar of strength and wisdom.

The lead role of Katrin is played by Bothell High senior Blair Fraser. “My role is like a narrator role. It’s kind of like Jo in ‘Little Women’,” said Fraser. For as long as she can remember, Fraser has enjoyed acting and performing, adding, “Being somebody else is always a fun thing. In drama, you get to do that with every role you play.”

Talon Bigelow, also a Bothell High senior, plays the daunting Uncle Chris.

“Everyone has a relative that plays the role of head of the family – that’s Uncle Chris. He’s an imposing character, especially to certain members of his family,” said Bigelow. A friend introduced Bigelow to the wonder of film making when they were in first grade. “I’ve been dabbling with making movies with friends ever since. I love the creative process of it all. But, in theater, I love the reaction to a scene when performed in front of a live audience.”

The scope of this family saga is an interesting technical challenge.  Director James Wilson explains, “The story’s charm is how it quickly moves 22 quite engaging characters through a series of vignettes. A lot of the excitement for the audience will be to see how we handle the play’s 16 different locations.”

The play’s massive task of backstage and technical work has been under way since September.

The play’s producer, Nancy Santiago, estimates, “Even before opening night more than 60 of our volunteers will have donated at least 5,000 hours of work.”

“I Remember Mama” is on stage at the Northshore Performing Arts Center, located at 9130 NE 180th Street, Bothell, from Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 8, 9, and 10 and the following Thursday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 17. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. with one matinee performance on Saturday Jan. 17.

Doors open one hour before each show. Tickets are available at the door only – $8 adults; $6 students with ID. Doors will open to the theater 30 minutes before show time. 

“I Remember Mama” is based on the book, Mama’s Bank Account, by Kathryn Forbes – Katrin in the play. The play’s 1944 Broadway success led first to a 1948 multiple Academy Award nominated movie and a television series in the 1950s.