Patti Gardner, a local favorite for her work in many plays and musicals, is one of two actresses in this local test run of the show that originated several years ago (in a five actress version) in West Palm Beach. The earlier show would go on to play performances around the country, including Off-Broadway.

Mamaleh! "tells of the lifelong friendship between Jewish-American women of different generations," according to production notes. "Filled with laughter and tears, this heart-warming musical encompasses the eras from turn-of-the-century immigrants coming to America to modern matriarchs contemplating the complexities of the 21st century — everything from 'mishegoss' to memories is covered in a tuneful and toe-tapping style as audiences are swept from the living rooms of suburban New York to the beaches of Boca Raton to the nostalgic streets of the Bronx back in the '40s."

Gardner, who is currently being seen in Menopause the Musical in Florida, is joined by Elaine Bleiweiss.

Mitchell Uscher and Roy Singer penned the show. This new version of Mamaleh! premiered in summer 2002 to sold-out houses in the Catskill Mountain region.   Upcoming productions of Mamaleh! are scheduled for Baltimore, New Jersey and New York City, and an album of songs from the show is available on CD.

Mamaleh! plays 2 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 21-Feb. 13. There are only eight performances. In a bizarre contrast in programming, the show performs on the same stage as Maury Yeston's Phantom, but during afternoons, when the famed musical ghoul doesn't haunt the stage. Tickets for Mamaleh! range from $16-$26. Hollywood Playhouse is at 2640 Washington Avenue in Hollywood, FL.

For more information, call the Hollywood Playhouse box office at (954) 922-0404. For group information or to purchase a Mamaleh! compact disc, call toll-free (866)-2MAMALEH.