Vicki Lawrence coming to The Smith in Geneva

Vicki Lawrence and Mama will appear at the Smith Opera House (82 Seneca Street- Geneva, NY 14456) Thurs. May 10th, 2012 for TWO shows- at 2pm and 8pm. Call Latshaw Productions for tickets for the 2pm show at 1-800-528-7429 and Smith Opera House 8pm show tickets at–(315) 781-5483. Tickets are $35 & $45. Online info is: www.thesmith.org.Emmy Award winning comedienne Vicki Lawrence is one of the most beloved television personalities of her generation. Plucked out of total obscurity as a high school senior, Vicki went on to become part of the now-legendary cast of the “Carol Burnett Show.” “I went to the Harvard School of Comedy in front of America,” says Ms. Lawrence of her Burnett Show training.In the 7th season, and hundreds of hilarious sketches later, at the ripe, old age of 24, Vicki created her most endearing character to date, Thelma Harper, or “Mama” as she is better known to her fans. After the Burnett Show, Vicki went on to star in “Mama’s Family,” which consistently topped the ratings for its entire six-year run of original shows. “Mama” has attained almost a cult status among her legions of loyal television viewers, who still enjoy her in reruns twice daily throughout most of the country.Vicki and Tim Conway were coupled as parents on CBS-TV’s “Yes Dear,” where their popularity garnered that sitcom its highest ratings. Most recently on TV, Vicki played Miley Cyrus’grandma on Hannah Montana. Further, the unprecedented ratings for the “Carol Burnett Showstopper Special,” which delighted more than 50 million viewers, convinced Ms. Lawrence that the time is right to take Mama out of the closet, dust off her sensible shoes and hit the road with her new touring production, Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show. Ms. Lawrence will take the stage first. “My show will not be a retrospective,” she explains. “The show is a mixture of stand-up comedy, music and my observations about real life.” The multi-talented entertainer is mostly known for her acting and comedic talents, but she also earned a gold record for the 1973 hit, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”“I think people will get a kick out of the things Mama has an opinion about. We’re creating new material with a more modern and cutting edge. Where Mama is concerned, expect the unexpected. That crazy old gal will be up to the challenge.”