Mary Jo Catlett! Denver native, Mary Jo Catlett, appeared at the Historic Elitch Theatre many times over the years, and she even appeared in a 1994 PBS video about the history of the theatre.
Her first appearance was in 1960 in the show, What Every Woman Knows. Later that season she was in Say, Darling. Two years later she returned for stock roles in Jenny Kissed Me, Auntie Mame, and The Best Man. It was at the Elitch Theatre, playing Agnes Gooch in Auntie Mame in the mid-60s that she earned her Actors’ Equity card.
She completed her study of theater at Loretto Heights College in Denver, and following graduation, she went to New York where, within a year, she made her Broadway debut in the role of Ernestine in the original Hello Dolly! with Carol Channing. In 1985 Ms. Catlett fulfilled a dream by coming back to the Elitch Theatre to star in Harvey.
Finally, in 1987, Mary Jo opened what would be the last regular season at the theatre in Nunsense. This was the opening show for the season, and when it became clear it would be the final season, Nunsense was brought back as the farewell show. Other than a production in 1991 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the theatre, Mary Jo’s production of Nunsense was the final regular season production at Elitch Theatre. Ms. Catlett said that to return once again to the Elitch Theatre in the play Nunsense is “the best habit one can have.”
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1960
- 1962
- 1985
- 1987
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- Catlett was in the original Broadway cast of Hello, Dolly!
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Catlett and alumni Charles Nelson Reilly were in the original cast of Hello, Dolly! on Broadway.
- Catlett, Charles Nelson Reilly, and alumna Marion Ross all voiced characters on SpongeBob SquarePants.
Wikipedia Link:
