The small-cast show with an original score will have a minimum of five separately cast sitdown engagements in 2011, including Fort Worth, TX; Richardson, TX; Atlanta; and Philadelphia. The Tampa launch production features Juliana Black, Angela Bond, Becca McCoy, Jayne Trinette and Samantha McKinnon Brown. Casting for other cities will be announced.
The four-member companies (including one understudy) are directed and choreographed by Broadway's Lisa Shriver (The Story of My Life, Ring of Fire). Johnny Rodgers (Liza's at the Palace, and the PS Classics album "Box of Photographs") supplies music direction and supervision, arrangements and orchestrations.
The musical by writer-songwriter Sue Fabisch is billed as "hysterical and poignant….a must-see for anyone who is, has, or knows a Mom and it will remind you that it's not just about Motherhood…it's about you."
Motherhood the Musical was originally produced in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in fall 2010, where it played a sell-out engagement. The show was nominated for a Best Production Carbonell Award, representing excellence in South Florida theatre.
"When we did one of the first readings for Motherhood the Musical, I brought my mom and daughter to be part of the selected audience," said producer Kathi Glist (Menopause the Musical) in a statement. "I loved how they both related to it and how my mom and daughter shared a bonding experience over this show. I believe that when women see this show, they will see themselves in one if not all of the characters on the stage. They will know they are not alone in what they experience on a day-to-day basis as a mother or daughter." The 20-song cast recording CD will soon be released on Fabisch's Nashville-based record label Mommy Music.
A production of Motherhood is currently playing a 65-city Australian tour.
GFour Productions is behind the show, following success with Menopause the Musical, seen in more than 450 cities in the U.S. and Canada. GFour's producing began in 1981 with Nine, winning the Tony Award that year for Best Musical. Other Broadway projects include My One And Only, Zorba The Greek starring Anthony Quinn, Baby, The Rink, Grand Hotel, Grind, Big, True West, the original and the revival of La Cage Aux Folles which won them the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1983 and the Tony Award for Best Revival in 2004, Catskills On Broadway, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 The Musical, currently on a national tour, and Off-Brodway's I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.
For more information, visit www.MotherhoodtheMusical.com.
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Motherhood will play the following cities, with casting to be announced:
Tampa, Florida
David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
June 3-Oct. 2
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Community Arts Center
Aug. 14-Sept. 4
Richardson, TX
Charles W. Eisemann Center
Sept. 8-Oct. 9
Atlanta, GA
14th Street Playhouse
Sept. 18-Nov. 20
Philadelphia, PA
Society Hill Playhouse
Sept. 30 – Open Ended Run
