If a key aspect of theatre is how much a show resonates with the audience, then Motherhood The Musical delivers to the select few that no one in the world can live without – our mums.
Enjoyed as a typical commercial canny show that is aimed at mothers, the show is a predictable yet notable addition to the world of musical theatre.
Motherhood The Musical, is the creation of Nashville-based songwriter and composer Sue Fabisch who is a mother of three and wrote the show’s music and lyrics back in 2008.
Featuring 20 songs that are catchy but nothing spectacular, it takes the audience on a loving and comical look at the perils of being a mother. The multitalented performers shine through all the predictable parody in the song lyrics and successfully make the audience laugh but not cry, which some scenes suggest.
Under the guidance of Australian director Terence O’Connell, Rebecca Moore (as mum-to-be Amy), Amelia Christo (as stay-at-home mum Barbara), Ziggy Clements (as lawyer mum Brooke) and Jacqueline Hoy (as single mum Trisha) all shine against the bright stage in their solos and ensemble numbers. The over produced backing tape outshone the chorus harmonies and nailing the octave notes would have made the show unstoppable.
Clements is the most moving in her lead on an audience favourite, ‘Costco Queen’, which is terrifically arranged and orchestrated by both the director and choreographer and well executed by Clements.
Moore is perfectly cast and very likeable as she croons ‘Now I know’ to her newborn, and she’s also a hoot in a comic vignette as Amy’s overprotective mum, which shows off Moore’s talent and versatility.
Christo infuses Barbara’s song ‘I’m Danny’s Mom’ with a near there dramatic tenderness and Hoy wonderfully belts Baby Weight Blues soulfully and with attitude to contrast from the other solo numbers.
As noted, little in Motherhood The Musical is insightful or original. The themes include sleep deprivation, buying in bulk, sagging breasts and bladder control, which are all typical situations.
But that may be the path to the show’s success? Would I recommend it to my single 25 year-old friends – probably not, but the stay-at-home mums would love it.
Terence O’Connell’s production of ‘Motherhood The Musical’ opened at the Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre on Tuesday July 27, 2011 and runs until Saturday August 13th, 2011.
Kyra Washington
July 27, 2011