In the Reagle Players’ production of Mame, an understudy has become a star. I am speaking, naturally, of this purse shown at right. This large, floppy red purse was Dolly’s rehearsal purse during Hello, Dolly. Rachel York grew so attached to it (as we all did) that after a while the search for a “real” purse was called off and the humble red purse got the job. During tech, pockets were built into it to hold specific props. However, in the end it clashed with most of her costumes and was not nearly crazy enough to match Dolly’s personality. Another, rival purse that had actually been a Dolly purse on Broadway was brought in at the last minute to add some star power, and the humble red purse was relegated to the blue bin of rehearsal props, along with a styrofoam bowler hat and some newspapers.
In Mame, it has made it to the stage as the purse of nanny Agnes Gooch in the opening scenes of the show. Speaking of her co-star, Tony nominee Maureen Brennan said the purse “is kind of like my security blanket.” Brennan is currently lobbying for the purse to be cast in Reagle’s next production, La Cage aux Folles.
