Global Impactors Group production of 'Motherhood Out Loud' is a very mixed collection of 20 vignettes by 14 writers – some famous and some not so famous.
In contrast to many theatrical events, there is no story – just a series of vignettes tied together by a common thread. That thread is being a mother in its varied role throughout our lives.
And even though it is deemed Motherhood, it is not the standard “only women will understand this ” type of show. I found it to be much more about being a parent to a child and the wonderful and tenuous relationship we enjoy with these new human beings over the years.
From the labor room through childhood, teenage ‘angst’ years and empty nests to the role reversal of the waning years, the monologues and scenes range from comic sketches to brief, satisfying one-acts that I wanted to see more of. Because of the large number of contributing writers, the writing varied wildly – some parts were amazing and others could have been shorter.
Motherhood is loosely organized into five "chapters," each beginning with a "fugue" in which various cast members repeatedly rotate in, relating in bits and pieces, an incident concerning a common subject.
Some felt more forced than others but overall the device worked to provide some commonality among the vignettes.
Among the many stories told in the show are a mother chaperoning her autistic son’s first date (Krystal Seier), a mother (Becca Carlyon Wahoff) providing details on handling insensitive adults questioning a decision to adopt, a Muslim mother (Kathy Pacheco) doing her best to work with and still embarrass her teenage daughter (Jada Makenzi), a mother talking of her soldier son in Afghanistan(movingly portrayed by Genia Miller), a man (Eric Hersh) moving in with his mother (Marcy Repp)after his divorce and facing reversal of caretaking roles, and two mothers (Patti Squire and Judith Evans) meeting in a bridal shop for an advice sharing session.
There are a total of 15 cast members in the show and director Tesia Nicoli (who also plays in the ensemble) has a strong group of actors to portray the many roles, both dramatic and comedic, this show demands.
The show does try to handle all the varieties of motherhood that might be considered more common today.
Gene Connelly did an outstanding job portraying a gay dad describing his process for becoming a parent. While the dialogue was clichéd, Connelly managed to draw the audience in and it drew an appropriate number of chuckles during the vignette.
Rachel Williams portrayal of the mother in Queen Esther about a mom facing bigotry in her childs’ school and in her temple when her young son wants to dress up at Purim as Queen Esther was very touching and well presented. Williams delivered just the right amount of fierce protectiveness expected of a mother in that situation.
Two standout performances were provided by Renee Wadsworth in her portrayals of a new mother at a playground who wants to fit in with the‘ hip moms’ for her childs’ sake and a later vignette as a stepmother in My Almost Family. Both characterizations were well done and portrayed the angst of 2 very different characters.
Special mention must also be made of the performance of Genia Miller who moved most of the audience to tears with her monologue on sending a child off to war. Miller then moved effortlessly immediately after into a comic fugue scene and then she nailed the portrayal of a great grandmother (in one of the sharpest written vignettes in the show by Beth Henley) with Jada Makenzi.
Several of the shorter but still intensely comedic male roles were well portrayed by Goran Zdravkovic and Chad Boushell.
Overall the costumes and set design was very simple with evocative colors or costume pieces giving a sense of the characters.
Most set pieces(chairs and benches) were brought on by non performing cast members which worked well and kept the pace moving.
The overall lighting was effective but almost too harsh at times for the small stage area.
Although the title might scare some away, this show is about more than just women. Most audience members of either gender can find something which will strike a chord in them if they have children or not(we all have a mother!).
I do advise that if you take your mom to see it be warned – there is some more colorful language used throughout the show.
'Motherhood Out Loud' runs May 23 at 8pm and May 24th at 3 and 7 pm at the Macungie Institute.
Tickets are $17.00 and $25.00 for front row seating.
Call 484.891.1314 to reserve.