Kirsten Sindelar, Shana Kulhavy, Emmalee Hilburn, and Lucy Dlarmini in “Motherhood: The Musical" at the Black Box Theatre -- November 3 through 12.
Thursday, November 3, through Saturday, November 12
Black Box Theatre, 1623 Fifth Avenue, Moline IL
Boasting funny, memorable songs and characters who, according to Broadway World, are "funny, touching, and powerful because they're realistic," Motherhood: The Musical enjoys its area-debut run at Moline's Black Box Theatre November 3 through 12, this four-woman stage hit lauded by Stage & Cinema as "a perfect show for groups of women who want to attend a bright and funny revue that showcases their domestic experiences with humor and some insight."
As Motherhood: The Musical delightfully reminds us, having a baby is just the beginning; motherhood is for life. In this original work by composer, lyricist, and book writer Sue Fabisch, four women share their insights, challenges, and pleasures at a baby shower. Through roughly 90 minutes of fun, audiences will be given a peek into the powerful friendship between Amy, a soon-to-be first-time mom; Brooke, a hard-working lawyer; Barb, a stressed-out mother of five; and Tina, a single mom seeking to balance work, her family, and her recent divorce. A funny yet loving look at the triumphs and hardships of being a parents at any age, with its score boasting such songs as "The Kids Are Finally Asleep,” "Baby Weight Blues,” "Mommy (mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy)," and the rebellious "Mom's on Strike" anthem, Motherhood: The Musical finds its singing quartet climbing the emotional mountain ... only to find that there’s laundry at the top.
Directing and designing Motherhood: The Musical for the Black Box Theatre is the venue's co-founder David M. Miller, who previously helmed such musicals as Company, Assassins, Baby, and Rock of Ages, and appeared on-stage in last summer's Quad City Music Guild presentation of Mamma Mia! With Lucy Dlarmini making her Black Box debut in Miller's production, the cast is completed by venue veterans Emmalee Hilburn (Company, Assassins), Shana Kulhavy (Next to Normal, I Love You Because), and Kirsten Sindelar (Little Women: The Musical). Motherhood's choreography is by Beth Marsoun, with music direction and keyboards provided by Randin Letendre, and the live score also performed by Peter Letendre on drums and Kyle Jecklin on bass. Area-theatre favorite Sara Nicole Wegener, meanwhile, is credited for designing the show's "baby bump."
Motherhood: The Musical will be staged at the Moline venue from November 3 through 12, with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $13-16, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)284-2350 and visiting TheBlackBoxTheatre.com.
