'Vicki Lawrence & Mama' offers comedy for all ages on Thursday

Wherever comedian Vicki Lawrence goes, Thelma Harper is never far behind. 

Better known as Mama, the irascible Southern senior at the center of NBC's 1980s sitcom "Mama's Family," is the most iconic of the many characters Lawrence created during her 11 seasons on "The Carol Burnett Show." Both women will grace the stage Thursday at the Warner Theatre for "Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show."

"It's half me and it's half Mama, and my goal is to make everybody laugh for an hour and a half," Lawrence said in a recent phone interview.

After the massive popularity of 2001's "Carol Burnett Showstopper Special," the Emmy Award-winning comedic actress decided to take the smart-mouthed matriarch on the road.

"Everybody loves her, and everybody treats her like she's a real person," Lawrence said. "Everybody has someone like her in their family."

She thinks of Mama as "the crazy old lady at everybody's Thanksgiving table," and fans can rest assured that she'll unleash some outrageous remarks. Lawrence, who topped the charts in 1973 with "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," also promises a sprinkling of memorable musical moments.

Half a century as a household name has not dimmed the beloved entertainer's appreciation for the mentors who guided her through those early years.

"I was really young and really inexperienced and was thrown into this group of incredible comedians," said Lawrence, now 67. "I got to go to the 'Harvard School of Comedy.'"

Lawrence credits Burnett with invaluable lessons about how a show is run, while Harvey Korman tirelessly tutored her on how to perfect her comedic craft. She worries that in today's climate of over-scrutinization, young performers miss the chance to let their abilities develop naturally.

"When I was young, I was allowed to grow up and make my own mistakes and do really stupid stuff," Lawrence said. "I feel like young people today are walking through a minefield."

Still, opportunities exist for those who practice diligently and remain ready for their big break.

Lawrence's break came when she competed in the Miss Fireball of Inglewood contest as a senior in high school. After a reporter noted Lawrence's resemblance to Burnett, the teen wrote a fan letter that prompted Burnett to attend the competition. That fateful meeting was the first step in a journey leading Lawrence to small-screen superstardom.

In person, she continues to bring down the house. She laughingly confided that one of her all-time favorite compliments came from Laughlin, Nevada, where she performed for a mostly silver-haired audience. Before showtime, she was informed, "The word out on the casino floor is, 'Wear your Depends!'"

It isn't just seniors eating up her act. Many youths first encountered Lawrence through "Mama's Family," then went scouring the internet for "Carol Burnett" clips. She is gratified to see the way YouTube has helped introduce those classic sketches to a new generation.

Wherever they fall on the age spectrum, she intends to enjoy her time with her Erie audience.

"I think we're gonna have a good laugh together," she predicted.

"Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show" takes the stage Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the Warner Theatre, 811 State St. Tickets, $36.25 to $62, are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office or by calling 452-4857.