Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas
Education: B.A. in Human Biology from the University of Kansas (I’ve used it to make four humans)
Favorite Credits: MotherFreakingHood! --- prior to that, probably Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Lawrence Arts Center in Lawrence, KS
Why theater?: Live theatre is a communal experience. As we all share the same space, breathe the same air, and witness the same uniquely created, fleeting moments, the audience, performers, and crew become one. There is no other form of entertainment as fulfilling.
Tell us about MotherFreakingHood!: MFH follows three unlikely friends as they bond in the very real trenches of childrearing. With raw, irreverent, truth we celebrate the absurdly unpredictable ride that is motherhood as Rachael, Angie, and Marcia find that ride is best shared with friends. And champagne. And sometimes Xanax, but mostly friends.
What inspired you to write MotherFreakingHood?: Sara and I dabbled in theatre, writing songs and one-act musicals while roommates at the University of Kansas. Twentysome years later, I enlisted Sara in telling the real story behind the mom jeans and minivans the term “motherhood” so often brings to mind. With six kids between us, we had plenty of inspiration. Also it was a great excuse to drink Jack Daniels.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theatre that becomes a part of me long after the curtain closes – whether it’s a line or a lyric or a soul-lifting melody or orchestration that play in my head as life rolls along – speaks to me the most. As for artists, I would give my right nipple to compose like Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Probably not my left one, as it’s usually a bit more sensitive and may hurt significantly more. I’d save that one for Robert Lopez who – time and again – combines musical mastery with heart and humor and most definitely would be left-nipple-worthy.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Melissa McCarthy, every day of the week!
What show have you recommended to your friends?: So many NYMF shows!! Night Tide, Numbers Nerds, Temple of the Souls, Errol and Fidel, Goree All-Girl String Band, Freedom Riders, A Wall Apart– pretty much all of them! Outside of NYMF, I can’t recommend 1984 and INDECENT highly enough. Not musical comedies, for sure, but both are exquisite pieces of art
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Tina Fey would rock the role of “Girl in braces with the Willie Ames perm” in the movie “(Mid)West Side Story.”
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Nachos
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: WAAAAAAYYYYYY better paid
What’s up next?: After MFH takes over the girls’ night out circuit, I have an idea for a two-person, multicharacter play, but first I have to move another child off to college and probably take a nap.
For more on MotherFreakingHood, visit www.MotherFreakingHood.com