Downstairs Cabaret Theatre Presents MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL, Now thru 11/18

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, in collaboration with GFOUR Productions (producers of Menopause the Musical and winners of more than 30 Tony Awards), has announced what promises to be Rochester's next hit musical: MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL.

This hysterical yet poignant musical by award-winning singer/songwriter Sue Fabisch is a must-see for anyone who is, has or knows a mom. Join four women as they share their insights, challenges and pleasures at a baby shower. In 90 whirlwind minutes of fun, you’ll get a peek into the powerful friendship of Amy, a soon-to-be first-time mom; Brooke, a hard-working lawyer; Barb, a stressed-out mother of five; and Tasha, a single mom seeking to balance work, her family and her divorce. MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL is a funny, yeT Loving look at being a mom at any age. It’s climbing the emotional mountain only to find that there’s laundry at the top. Great for "girls night out" (or to teach dad a thing or two)!

MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL was written by the award-winning singer/songwriter, SUE FABISCH. Among the 20 original songs are the Top 10 Billboard Comedy Hit “The Kids Are Finally Asleep,” the rousing “Costco Queen,” the show-stopping “Grannyland” and the tender “I’m Danny’s Mom.” Inspiration for her writing comes from Sue’s own motherhood experiences. She is raising three kids (four if you count her husband) and hopes that someday she can get a full night sleep without someone crawling into bed.

Director / Choreographer Lisa Shriver most recently choreographed the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Other Broadway credits include Ring of Fire, The Farnsworth Invention, and The Story of My Life. She was the assistant choreographer on ten Broadway shows including The Producers, Oklahoma!, and Into the Woods. Others credits include selected Off-Broadway/Regional productions at The Public Theater, McCarter Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, and Stratford Shakespeare Festival. She has also directed and choreographed An Evening of Guys and Dolls Music with Tony Bennett, Marisa Tomei, and Vanessa Williams. Lisa’s film choreography credits include A Christmas Carol (with Jim Carrey), A Beautiful Mind, Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding, and Polar Express.

Musical Director / Arranger / Orchestrator Johnny Rodgers is an internationally-celebrated singer/songwriter, pianist and entertainer who dazzles audiences with his Americana mélange of original songs and classic favorites rooted in blues, soul, jazz, country, rock and pop. Johnny was featured in Liza Minnelli’s Tony Award-winning Liza’s At The Palace which toured the world and is showing on PBS. He has earned the famed Nightlife, Bistro, and MAC Awards for outstanding performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, The Royal Room at The Colony Hotel Palm Beach, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, Birdland, Joe’s Pub and other premiere clubs. His songwriting has been recognized with Billboard and ASCAP Foundation awards.

ILONA AHEARN is thrilled to return to the role of "Brooke" after just finishing a year-long run of MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL at Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia. Before that she was on the National Tour of CATS as "Jellylorum / Griddlebone". Ilona has appeared opposite Robert Cuccioli in Showboat as "Julie" and at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia in Les Miserables. Ilona has also sung at Carnegie Hall and the Merkin Theater in NYC, playing the roles of "Mimi" in La Boheme and "Lauretta" in Gianni Schicchi. Her singing also took her throughout Europe giving many opera and musical theater concerts and singing with the New Opera Festival of Rome for two years. Other favorite roles include "Carrie" in Carousel and "Magnolia" in Showboat.

JEN CHADA is delighted to repeat the role of "Barb," after playing the role last Spring in Chicago, from whence she hails. Favorite regional credits include "Mrs. Cratchit" in the National Tour of Scrooge starring Richard Chamberlain, In The Bubble directed by Michael Greif for American Musical Theatre Project, and the only collaboration between the late Cy Coleman and Alan & Marilyn Bergman Like Jazz at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, where she sang alongside Patti Austin and Lillias White. In addition, Jen has two critically acclaimed cabaret shows under her belt and also has recorded two jazz CD's with Tonic Vintage Vocals.

JEWEL LUCIEN participated in the original reading of MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL (Nashville, TN, 2008) and has had two successful runs as "Tasha" in Atlanta, GA (BBW Atlanta Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical 2011) and in Providence, RI. She has played lead roles in productions of Once On This Island, Sweeney Todd, Chicago, and Dreamgirls. Jewel is also a writer of inspirational music.

Lisa Manuli has performed the role of "Amy" in MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL nationally, and is honored to be a member of the show’s original cast which won her the Carbonell Award for Best Supporting Actress. Regional credits include "Reno Sweeney" in Anything Goes (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), "Missy" in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Actors Playhouse), "Audrey" in Hank Williams: Lost Highway (Blowing Rock Stage Company, Randal Myler, director), and "Shelby" in Steel Magnolias (Caldwell Theatre).

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