MOMologues...

Stageworks Theatre
by Lisa Rafferty, Stefanie Cloutier and Sheila Eppolito
Creative Loafing Space
Ybor City, FL


We each have a job in life. Whether you're a teacher, lawyer, physician or in some sort of sales there are things we enjoy and despise. But how many of us would truly complain about every aspect of a job and still say we love it?

MOMologues is a four character play presented as a stream of consciousness meets round table discussion about the ups and downs of motherhood. Each character takes a turn as expectant mother and describes the cheerful excitement of an impending bundle of joy and the harsh reality that follows. Not following a tradition beginning-middle-end play structure, MOMologues draws us in with it quick wit and brutal honesty.

Presented with a true ensemble cast, the ladies of the MOMologues each share the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that make up motherhood. Without overshadowing another character, each actress performed both monologue and dialogue superbly. Each actress had equal amount of time between performing solo and cooperatively, which allows us to see the range of these talented actresses. Being brought to life by Jeni Bond, Rosemary Orlando, Susan Karsnick and L'Tanya Van Hamersveld, the cast of MOMologues overlap their dialogue just like the experience of motherhood can be for all who have and will experience it.

The Cast of MOMologues

I really enjoyed the stream of consciousness presentation of MOMologues. One thing I noticed about the show was the lack of connection with any one character. Even though in the playbill the characters are named, they never refer to one another as such. In a traditional play we may find ourselves rooting for or against the plight of a certain character. I feel the point of the show is to associate with all mothers and not with a particular character. Without having a single character to follow, it's refreshing to have a play that will live and die by the dialogue and not the actor. They close the show with the line "It's the hardest job I've ever loved", which succinctly encapsulates every tear of joy and/or outrage that comes with motherhood.

All in all I really enjoyed the show. From beginning to end, the cast presents an engaging and hysterical look at motherhood. A play like this only comes along every so often and I would recommend mothers as well as men to see this show. Painstakingly illustrating the ups and downs of becoming, being and having been a mother, MOMologues is surely not to be missed.

MOMologues plays through February 27th at the Creative Loafing Space located on the second floor of the Spaghetti Warehouse in Ybor City. With about one hundred seats, there won't be a bad seat in the house. If you wish to enjoy dinner before or after the show please know there is a 20% discount for all theatre goers, although you'll need the coupon at the Creative Loafing Space door to partake.

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