WINTER HAVEN — Suzanne Clark has lots of experiences as a mother to two boys, 16 and 12 years old, to bring to her role in "The MOMologues: An Original Comedy About Motherhood."
"Babies don't come with instructions, so a lot of the show is about the women figuring it out together," said Clark, 46, who has been acting since she was 6 years old. ''I think it's something that every mom will recognize; it's a common bond we share."
The Theatre Winter Haven production that opens today is written by Lisa Rafferty. Subject? Pregnancy and motherhood and what mothers know but don’t always talk about: motherhood can be overwhelming and exhausting, but also funny.
Directed by Debbie Morgan, her first major TWH main stage production, "The MOMologues" involves four young women — "Charlotte'' (Candace Resmondo)," "Ellen'' (Suzanne Clark), "Maria'' (Jessica Pipkin)" and "Stefanie'' (Katria Harper) — who discuss the joys of pregnancy, such as reading the same books over and over and over again, seeing a baby grow up and finally get on a school bus for the first day of school.
"The MOMologues" was chosen for TWH by Dan Chesnicka, producing director, Morgan said.
During the two-act play, each woman has three to four monologues of about 45 to 90 seconds each, set in different scenes: a Starbucks coffee shop; in their homes; or talking to other characters on stage. Morgan said Act I deals with pregnancy and birth and Act II is about raising a child. She said the scenes are interspersed with the monologues, so the play isn't just an actress standing and talking.
"The point of the play is support and how moms understand the very unique position of being a mom. The experiences of pregnancy and children are so different; there are no cookie-cutter experiences," Morgan said. "The play shows the only way to get through pregnancy and childbirth and raising good children is being dependent on other mothers' experiences. You need the guidance of other moms."
Throughout the play, the women's individual stories are conveyed, either directly to the audience in monologues or in scenes with each other. Chesnicka said all mothers should be able to relate to the labor stories, the frustration of efforts like a simple trip to the store once a baby is born and how the efforts connect with other mothers.
"I wanted to produce something that was relatable and funny," he said. "I think the production was the perfect vehicle for anyone who has a mom or has been a mom. I also think men will enjoy it every bit as much because (father and mother) share in the experience. ("The MOMologues") kind of bridges the gap between stand-up comedy and a traditional play."
Among the topics the women discuss are the differences between raising boys and girls, how to handle the Tooth Fairy, picky eaters, discipline, children urinating at the playground and other real-life comedic anecdotes mothers go through.
Morgan called the play a poignant comedy because of the life lessons and situations the four women get into. She said the play is "implied storytelling."
"It's sweet and exhilarating; there's no other job (motherhood) in the world like it," she said. "People should walk out with a big smile on their faces, even if you're single and never been a mom before. And everyone in the audience has a mother and it keeps the audience engaged."
"The MOMologues" premiered at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston in 2002. It contains strong language and parental guidance is advised.
Paul Catala can be reached at paul.catala@theledger.com or 863-802-7533. He can be reached at Twitter @pcat0226.