“MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD:” SO MUCH MORE THAN DIRTY DIAPERS

CLOCKWISE FROM THE LEFT: LEIGH KATZ, LILLIAN GARCIA, LUCY BABBITT

If you know any mothers, have a mother or been a mother, “Motherhood Out Loud” is sure to touch your funny bone and heart strings with its personal, precious and often puzzling aspects of parenthood. The series of vignettes, written by a number of gifted authors, hopscotches around from the  pangs, pushes and pains of childbirth to many of the unexpected trials and triumphs of this rewarding and challenging aspect of life. Square One Theatre Company of Stratford, as part of its 26th season, weekends until Sunday, May 29.

 Dads and moms and people in general will identify with many of the scenarios that are beautifully portrayed by a quartet of talented actors-Lucy Babbitt, Lillian Garcia, Leigh Katz and Kiel Stango-who flit and fly from one intriguing situation to another, much like honey bees pollenate flowers.

 

 With skill and poignancy, they interpret scenes from the first contractions of childbirth to the difficult letting go of waving your little one off on the first kindergarten day, to buying your daughter her first bra and other teen issues, all the way to high school graduation ceremony concerns, the various ways to celebrate or not celebrate Thanksgiving, all the way to when your baby has a baby of her own.

 

The most touching vignettes deal with a little six year old Sammy who wants to wear princess dresses as if every day were Halloween or Purim, a mom who has to defend herself when introducing her biological son and her adopted Chinese daughter, a gay dad who with his partner are creating a family of three, a teenaged boy with autism who goes on his first date and a great granddaughter who interviews three generations of her family tree.

 

These are unforgettable moments that celebrate motherhood and, even if you haven’t experienced any of them, they will still touch your heart.  Tom Holehan directs this lovely evening that will make you laugh a lot and tear up a little. The show was conceived by Susan R. Rose and Joan Stein in 2010.

 

For tickets ($20, seniors and students $19), call Square One Theatre Company at 203-375-8778  or online at www.squareonetheatre.com.  Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at  8 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sunday. All shows will be at Square One’s new home at Stratford Academy, 719 Birdseye Street, Stratford. On Tuesday, May 31, Play It Again, Square One will host a post-performance discussion at noon at the Stratford Library Lovell Room.  Bring your lunch, coffee and tea will be provided.

 

Learn once again that babies are mostly grown in a mommy’s tummy but always come out of your heart.