MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD Open for Licensing in North America

Motherhood Out Loud is a collection of short theatrical works by award-winning American Playwrights, television writers and novelists. It received a triumphant World Premiere at Hartford Stage, a West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse (as In Mother Words) and had a successful New York run at Primary Stages. The show is now being licensed for professional and non-professional productions throughout the U.S. and Canada and has opened to rave reviews in many markets. The show features an unprecedented number of pieces by women....reflecting upon the diversity of the parenting experience in America today, yet at the same time, the universality of it.

From the wonder of giving birth to the bittersweet challenges of role reversal and caring for an aging parent, it is all shared with tremendous candor, heart and humor.

- A mother of a soldier cries out for his safe return.

- A young girl comes of age in a Muslim family.

- A gay couple takes on fatherhood with the help of a surrogate.

- A mother staunchly defends her young son's penchant for a princess dress....despite judgment.

- A Caucasian mother of an adopted Asian child stands up for her dignity.

These are a sampling of the vignettes. Four actors play a wide array of roles.

Motherhood Out Loud, conceived by Susan R. Rose and Joan Stein, is written by a collection of award- winning American writers including Leslie Ayvazian, Brooke Berman, David Cale, Jessica Goldberg, Beth Henley, Lameece Issaq, Claire LaZebnik, Lisa Loomer, Michele Lowe, Marco Pennette, Theresa Rebeck, LuAnne Rice, Annie Weisman and Cheryl L. West. Henley is a Pulitzer-Prize winner, Rebeck is the creator of the television series SMASH, and Pennette was Executive Producer of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and UGLY BETTY and is Executive Producer of Kirstie Alley's upcoming television show.

"It was always our hope that Motherhood Out Loud would strike a universal chord, and given the response from audiences, theatres and others who have come on board to present the production, we are gratified to know we have accomplished that," says Susan R. Rose, co-conceiver and producer. "It's an appealing, easy show to mount for high schools, colleges and both non and professional theatre groups. Additionally, it's a great entertainment vehicle for conferences, trade shows, organizations, retreats, etc. with a female focus." "It also has dad-appeal, since fathers connect to the material as well. And, whether you're a mother or not, everyone responds to the show because we all have mothers."

Actor James Lecesne (from the NY cast), who in one vignette in Motherhood Out Loud portrays a member of a gay couple pursuing parenthood through surrogacy says, "Surrogacy is actual proof that parenting is a universal experience, available to everyone---just like love."

Actress Randy Graff (from the NY cast) says, "I remember the very first time I performed QUEEN ESTHER in front of an audience. I looked out at the crowd and could see sprinkles of mothers and young sons. By the end of the piece, I could see them wiping their eyes, and I knew that in that moment, they didn't feel alone."

Anna Bose, the Stage Manager of the Actors Summit Theatre's production in Akron, Ohio of Motherhood Out Loud, writes about her experience working on the play..."This show not only brought my mom and I closer together but also the cast. We got a glimpse into each other's life and shared personal stories that bonded us as a group. I never thought going into this show that I would have all of these wonderful memories shared, but this show helped me through losing my grandmother. I am so thankful to be a part of a show like this and cannot wait to share some of these experiences when I have children in the future."

More reaction from a cast member, Jeff Kosloski..."I'm one of the cast members of Motherhood in Denver, and I just wanted to thank you for creating such an incredible show. We had a phenomenal opening weekend, complete with standing ovations every night. I've pretty much done improv and sketch comedy my whole stage-performing life. This show has catapulted me into an entirely new performing stratosphere, and I couldn't be luckier and happier."

Motherhood Out Loud is available through Dramatists Play Service, Inc. For licensing information and to obtain copies of the script, visit: http://dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=4358. Phone: 212/683-8960.

To date, the show has been performed at:

Eve Theatre Company - Louisville, Kentucky
Be Theatre Company - San Angelo, Texas
Lake Tahoe Theatre - South Lake Tahoe, CA
Avenue Theatre - Denver, CO
Invisible Theatre - Tuscon, AZ
The Geffen Playhouse - Los Angeles, CA
Primary Stages - New York, NY
Isis Theatre - Idyllwild, CA
Bay Street Theatre - Sag Harbor, NY
Hartford Stage - Hartford, CT
Actor's Summit Theatre - Akron, OH

It has also been presented by teenagers at the Flint Youth Theatre and Anacortes High School in Washington State. And, has been presented at colleges including Union County College in NJ and will be presented by the Wellesley Theatre Department this fall.

In 2014, it will be presented in Barcelona, and a French production is in the works for Paris. It is under consideration for an Australian production.