By Ginger Nicolay-Davis

Two years ago, my mother-in-law, Joanne, called me from the East Coast to tell me about a new play that had just debuted in Hartford, Conn., called “Motherhood Out Loud”. She told me that I really needed to read it and that I would love it.

Like all difficult daughter-in-laws, I had to question the advice of my mother-in-law. After all, I have read many more scripts than she has, seen many more plays than she will ever see, and have studied acting for years. But I figured since she was not giving me advice on how to raise her grandchildren, maybe I should flatter her a bit, and find out more about play.

I learned that it was written by 13 women, including Beth Henley, one of my favorite Southern writers, and decided maybe Joanne was right. I should at least read it. I emailed the writers to ask for a copy of the script. I found out it was not available at the time.

Michelle Hirschfield, from left, Pam Taylor and Ginger Nicolay-Davis star in “Motherhood Out Loud” at MontBleu. Photo/Provided

Over the next couple years I kept my eye out for the script, and it finally became available in manuscript form last fall. I ordered a copy and read it no less than 15 times. I laughed, I cried and I called my mother-in-law to thank her for suggesting it to me. (She was shocked I called. I probably should call my mother-in-law more often.)

I called some of my favorite actor friends in town and invited them to do a reading of the script over a bottle of wine — the offer of wine will always get actors to a table reading. We read the script, laughed, cried, and discussed all of the amazing aspects of motherhood this play touches upon.

My friend, Michelle, without hesitation said, “We have to do this show.”

They were hooked on the script the way I was the first time I read it. The day the rights became available I snatched them up, making us the first theater group in Northern California to produce this important and relevant piece of work about motherhood. My theatre partner-in-crime, Diana Evans, decided we should try to find a space to do this show over Mother’s Day weekend. MontBleu agreed and we were on our way!

Through the rehearsal process we have had many discussions about parenting, our own parents, our grandparents and stepparents and how they have made us who we are. It has been a project of love. This play touches upon every aspect of motherhood – from birth to adulthood, the challenges of raising children and being a child, the challenges of raising teenagers and then watching them leave the home, seeing the adult child get married, go off to war, and, finally, being an adult child taking care of a sick parent.

“Motherhood Out Loud” reveals many of the raw emotions and rocky roads we experience in life.

“Motherhood Out Loud” is sure to challenge traditional norms and unite generations with its unpredictable comedy.

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Notes:

• “Motherhood Out Loud” will be at MontBleu in Stateline on May 9 and 10 at 7:30pm and May 12 at 3pm.

• For tickets, go online, call (530) 541. 4975 or stop by the MontBleu box office.

• The proceeds from the shows will go to the nonprofit Tahoe Tallac Association that produces the annual summer Valhalla Arts & Music Festival.

Ginger Nicolay-Davis is president of the Tahoe Tallac Association.