Motherhood, the Musical...

by Sue Fabisch

Jaeb Theater

Tampa, FL

June 9th, 2011

They say motherhood is the toughest job. What if you were to put those ideas into a show?

The David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts brings Motherhood the Musical to the Jaeb Theater. Nestled in the shadows of the enormous Morsani Hall, the Jaeb Theater presents the show in the cabaret styled playhouse without any bad seats.

Motherhood the Musical tells the story of three mothers and one mother-to-be at a baby shower as they lament the highs and lows of being a mother. Each mother offers advice through song about their various experiences in motherhood. Ranging from sleep deprivation, shopping in bulk, spousal relations, urinary incontinence and everything in between, the other mothers fill us as well as the mother to be in what is about become.

Cast in this musical of the hardest job in life is Jayne Trinette, Angela Bond, Becca McCoy and Juliana Black. The talent level of the actresses on stage is as strong as I've come to expect from Equity actors in the area. With that being said, I felt the show was written in such a way to force the actors to perform a certain and didn't allow for the free-flow that gives most shows the realism that goes above what's happening on stage.

Jayne Trinette's "Every Other Weekend" was a nice moment among the fluff. Juliana Black's ability to play the naive mother-to-be and change into the grandmother, although campy, was seamless and well executed. Becca McCoy's over the top portrayal as the overworked, Costco shopper was performed adequately with the best conviction that the script can allow. The best moment of the show was Angela Bond's "I'm Danny's Mom". Devoid of any theatrics, Bond's words alone encapsulate the show's spirit of being a mother.

The Cast of Motherhood the Musical

l to r: Jayne Trinette, Angela Bond, Juliana Back and Becca McCoy

All in all, I didn't care for Motherhood the Musical. With the exception of "I'm Danny's Mom" and "Every Other Weekend", I thought the songs were cheesy and performed mainly for cheap laughs. I wish I could say this show hovered around clever or satirical, but it landed far from it. Most of the songs ended with some sort of jazz hands or another musical theatre cliche that took away from the song itself and kept me from enjoying the show. Since the show seems to be aimed for the simpleton crowd, I would not recommend this show for those hoping for an uplifting or inspiring show.

Motherhood the Musical plays the Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center through July 10th. For more information about the show or the Straz Center please click here. Don't forget to follow us on twitter and/or facebook for the latest on the performing arts community in Tampa.

Music of the Post - The Book of Mormon Cast Album