POW! Foundation's Fall 2012 Season Goes Out With a Laugh

With the fall 2012 POW! Foundation season at its end, closing act Vicki Lawrence plans to have audience members crying tears of laughter in Vicki Lawrence: A Two-Woman Show.

Emmy award-winning Lawrence will take the stage alongside her alter ego Thelma "Mama" Harper at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, almost 40 years after Mama debuted on The Carol Burnett Show in 1974.

The "two-woman" act exemplifies Lawrence's mantra: “Life is much too serious to be taken seriously."

POW! Foundation Executive Director Michael Rennie encourages Mama's fans to come to the show and be reminded of why Lawrence became a well-respected actress.

"Vicki’s comedic chops are as strong as ever," Rennie said in a news release.

Lawrence's 11-year acting career on The Carol Burnett Show inspired another television series called Mama's Family, which first aired in 1983. Younger fans may recognize her as Mamaw Ruthie and Grandma Stewart from Miley Cyrus' Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.

Rennie said he looks forward to welcoming Lawrence and Mama to the performing arts center.

“Vicki Lawrence has one of those personalities that inspires an almost irrational amount of goodwill," he said in the release. "People just light up when they see Vicki’s smile."

Lawrence, who spent the past month touring in Canada, looks forward to stepping with Mama in Poway and giving the audience a performance to remember.

"I hope people will be pleasantly surprised by a side of Vicki they may never have seen," Lawrence said in a statement. "I know they will be looking forward to Mama and for her part, that crazy old gal will be up to the challenge."

Seats are still available for Vicki Lawrence: A Two-Woman Show in all sections of the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $50 for adults and may be purchased online or by calling 858-748-0505.