Civic Theatre of Allentown's MOMMALOGUES Receives NYC Premiere at Marvell Rep

MOMMALOGUES, a play written by Lehigh Valley playwrights Sharon Lee Glassman and Gretchen Klinedinst-Furst, which had its world premiere at Civic Theatre of Allentown in May 2012, will make a move to New York City later this month for six performances beginning May 22 through June 2. The show, which is a collection of emotionally charged monologues honoring mothers and the unique and astonishing bond they share with their daughters, will have its New York premiere at The Barrow Group Mainstage Theatre, 312 W 36^th Street in Manhattan as part of the season of the non-profit Marvell Repertory Theatre.

After the play closed at Civic, an actress sent a copy of MOMMALOGUES to Lenny Leibowitz and Amy Estes, founders of Marvell Repertory Theatre, New York's only professional theatre devoted exclusively to producing new and enduring works in rotating repertory. The two producers immediately requested a meeting with Glassman and Klinedinst-Furst to discuss the possibility of adding MOMMALOGUES to their season. It only took one meeting for playwrights and producers to realize that theirs was a marriage meant to happen. After the play's exceptionally successful run in Allentown, Glassman and Klinedinst-Furst believed that the play might have a future and Leibowitz and Estes were looking for a more commercial piece to introduce into their season.

Glassman conceived the idea on a solo walk on the beach. "Nothing like the ocean to make one contemplate the most meaningful and profound parts of life," she recalls. "As memories of my own mom and ones I am making with my daughter are so important to my life, I guess it was natural that I just started writing in my head. I walked a really long time that morning, and by the end of the walk, MOMMALOGUES was born."

Knowing that Klinedinst Furst, also an educator with a passion for writing, had two daughters and a colorful mom with whom she shared a wonderful relationship, Glassman immediately thought of her friend and colleague to collaborate on the project. One call sealed the deal.

To make the show more palatable to producers they have just completed furiously cutting MOMMALOGUES from a 111 to 85-90 minute production. The cast has also been pared from eight to four actresses. Both agree that the heart of the play is still intact.

Producers and playwrights asked William Sanders, Civic Theatre's Artistic Director and the original director of MOMMALOGUES, to join the New York project. Sanders has been the director of Civic Theatre for more than 20 years, continuously distinguishing himself for his superb work not only classical and comedic, and musical theatre, but also for championing cutting edge theatre and premiering many plays immediately after they leave Broadway. He has also directed off Broadway and regional theatre, as well as serving as assistant director on Broadway. He not only agreed, but also enlisted Deann Simmons Halper, a fellow graduate from the North Carolina School of the Arts to serve as his associate director. Halper works as an actor, director, and producer off Broadway and regionally. Halper has produced several New York and Regional productions including the OBIE nominated Incommunicado and The Vagina Monologues. She has served on the Boards of Directors at Circle Rep Theatre Company, NY Stage and Film and TriArts' Sharon Playhouse, and the Artistic Advisory Board at City Lights Youth Theatre where she was also a teaching artist. Halper is currently serving on the Board of Visitors at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and has recently been teaching Commedia Del' Arte and mask work in New York City and at The Hotchkiss School.

Glassman and Sanders set three days of New York auditions with Marvell Rep. Sanders, having professional experience, knew what they were about to experience. Not so for Glassman.

"I thought we would have maybe 200 submissions for the four parts," she recalls. Two thousand resumes later, she and Sanders selected the 110 actresses whom they would audition. Glassman describes the auditions as an amazing experience. "I have sat through many hundreds of auditions as a director or Civic representative," she said, "but auditioning people to perform Gretchen and my personal work added a unique dimension to the process and it was quite an emotional experience."

The new New York cast of MOMMALOGUES features Claire Duncan (Momma 1), Elizabeth Stahlmann (Momma 2), Lisa Riegel (Momma 3) and Sheila Stasack (Momma 4).

Duncan (www.claireduncan.net) is a graduate of the University of Toronto. She has performed in regional, Off-Broadway and New York theatre, as well as in a number of films. She is most proud of her honorable mention for "Best Actress" in "End of the Line" at West Village Musical Theatre Festival and her role as Filch/Vixen in the Drama Desk nominated THREE PENNY OPERA with Marvell Repertory Company.

Stahlmann (AEA) is a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Actor Training Program. She has acted extensively in regional and New York theatre. She joins MOMMALOGUES direct from a tour in AS YOU LIKE IT with The Acting Company/Guthrie Theatre.

Riegel (AEA, SAG/AFTRA) is a graduate of Indiana University. She is a veteran actress who has performed regularly in New York Theatre (Off-Broadway and Broadway), regional theatre, film and television. She has performed with both Jeremy Irons and Brian Stokes Mitchell as part of the ensemble in CAMELOT and OLIVER respectively at Schubert Theatre.

Stasack (AEA , SAG/AFTRA) has been seen on international and national stages. She has performed such classic roles as Lady Capulet in ROMEO AND JULIET, Gertrude in HAMLET (Ukranian tour) and Polina in THE SEAGULL (Russian Tour). You may recognize her from her many television appearances in familiar series such as "Law and Order," and "One Life to Live" "The Guiding Light."

A schedule of shows is included in this release. To schedule interviews with anyone involved with MOMMALOGUES, or to take photos/film of the show, please contact Civic Theatre Managing Director Michael Traupman at 610.433.8903 x206 or michael@civictheatre.com.