The production continues through April 12.
Directed by Marc Stuart Weitz, the cast features Ken Barnett (Wonderful Town, The Green Bird) as Peter, Susan Bott (The Best of Everything) as Ruth and Constance Zaytoun (Broken Hands) as Anna.
"Vogel's And Baby Makes Seven follows the story of Anna and Ruth, a lesbian couple, who enlist their gay friend Peter to help them create a family," press notes state. "But are any of them ready for parenthood? Tensions rise as the three adults prepare for the imminent arrival of their baby — and matters are made all the more challenging by the persistence of the three imaginary children who already live with them. The lines between fantasy and reality, child and adult, love and madness crisscross through this hysterically funny and deeply touching play about what it means to be a family."
"Paula imagined this particular non-conventional family a generation ago amidst a very different cultural landscape," Weitz said in a previous statement. "Modern families are becoming more visible on television, in movies, and on-stage — And Baby Makes Seven was on the bleeding edge of that cultural wave. Decades ago, some audiences were so shocked by two lesbian characters kissing onstage and the unusual make-up of this family that they, perhaps, were unable to focus on the larger story. For me And Baby Makes Seven is really about the question, 'What do I need to sacrifice to be ready to be a parent?' That's a question many people wrestle with, and Paula explores it in a way that is funny, edgy, and very honest. I’m so grateful that Paula has allowed us to reintroduce this story to New York audiences after a 20 year absence."
Vogel, a Pulitzer Prize winner, has written How I Learned to Drive, The Long Christmas Ride Home, The Mineola Twins, The Baltimore Waltz, Hot 'N' Throbbing, Desdemona, The Oldest Profession and A Civil War Christmas. "Baby Talk," a weekly conversation following the Wednesday night performances, will feature playwrights, performers, thinkers and activists discussing some of the issues addressed in And Baby Makes Seven, as well as Vogel’s career as a playwright and her influence as a teacher and mentor. Participants include Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon, Sarah Ruhl and Mark Brokaw.
The series will feature "Hot 'n' Throbbing: Queer New York From 1980s to Today" March 26, "A Baltimore Waltz through Paula Vogel’s Body of Work" April 2 and "The Long [Legislative] Ride Home: Equality — Are We There Yet?" April 9.
The creative team of And Baby Makes Seven includes Brett J. Banakis (sets), Sydney Maresca (costumes), Bradley King (lights), Ien DeNio (sound), Lauren Madden (properties master), Chris Batstone (production manager), Joseph Heaton (production stage manager) and Jordan Schildcrout (dramaturg). Nicole Golden is associate producer.
And Baby Makes Seven is produced by New Ohio Theatre in association with Purpleman Theater.
Tickets are available by calling (888) 596-1027 or visiting newohiotheatre.org.
Visit andbabymakesseven.com for more information.
