SECRETS OF A SOCCER MOM Runs 2/26-3/14 in TWTP Premiere

Tennessee Women's Theater Project this month throws an affectionate spotlight on the lives of soccer moms everywhere with the regional premiere of Kathleen Clark's Secrets of a Soccer Mom.

The show earned praise from audiences and critics alike in its recent Off-Broadway debut, with the New York Daily News saying it ". . . puts the heart and 'sole' into comedy," and the New York Times, cheering, "let's hear it for Soccer Moms!"

All over Middle Tennessee the sharp-eyed observer can spot evidence of a vast legion of these unsung heroes. Glance around at a traffic light, or a grocery store parking lot, or any weekend at the playing fields, and you'll see them in cars with soccer decals on the windows, or dangling yellow rectangles that say "Mom's Taxi." It's not just soccer moms, either (it's not even just moms). For every kid in youth hockey, football or little league, for every dancer, junior cheerleader and gymnast, there's a devoted someone who does the driving, washes the outfit, brings the refreshments, and cheers for their child until it's time to load up and schlep off to the next activity.

Secrets of a Soccer Mom is set at a soccer field on a crisp autumn day, where three women talk on the sidelines while waiting their turn to play in the annual youth soccer league mothers vs. sons game. There's a little gossip, a little strategy - should they play all out or let their sons win? - and a lot of laughs, courtesy of Kathleen Clark's dialogue.

Maryanna Clarke, founding artistic director of Tennessee Women's Theater Project, says she chose the show because its subjects are presented as people, and not just punchlines.

"Like mothers everywhere, these women are fiercely devoted to their children," says Clarke, "but there are moments when they wonder 'Did I stop being me when I became Mom?' Even more complicated, can a mother have that thought without feeling selfish and guilty?"

All three of the actors in Secrets of a Soccer Mom are making their first appearance with the company. Nancy Whitehead (Nancy) has been seen in a dozen productions with Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre; Amanda Card-McCoy (Alison) has worked with Nashville Children's Theater and Nashville Shakespeare Festival; and Brittany Nelson (Lynn) has appeared at MTSU and with several Murfreesboro-area theater companies.

Making the production more accessible to busy mothers, the company has scheduled two mid-morning weekday matinees, at 10:30 am on Wednesday March 3, and Tuesday March 9.

Secrets of a Soccer Mom opens Friday February 26, at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre, 2301 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. The run continues for 13 performances through Sunday, March 14. Tickets are general admission, $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Special offers include an opening night half-price special, which includes a post-show reception with refreshments, $10 Thursday performances, and a "Pay What You Make An Hour Night" on Thursday, March 4. For a complete schedule of performance dates and times, reservations and information, call (615) 681-7220, or visit www.twtp.org.

Nancy Whitehead, Brittany Nelson and Amanda Card-McCoy in Secrets of a Soccer Mom from Tennessee Women's Theatre Project

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