‘Listen to Your Mother’ comes back to Providence

Posted 5/8/14

A show whose very title echoes the sage advice of mothers everywhere is coming to Providence this weekend, just in time for Mother’s Day, for the second year in a row.

Listen to Your Mother …

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‘Listen to Your Mother’ comes back to Providence

Posted

A show whose very title echoes the sage advice of mothers everywhere is coming to Providence this weekend, just in time for Mother’s Day, for the second year in a row.

Listen to Your Mother 2014, Providence, a monologue show performance, hits the stage at the RISD Auditorium on Saturday evening, May 10. As the shows tagline states, it is designed to give motherhood a microphone.

The show, which is taking place this year in 32 states all over the country, will feature writers from all over Rhode Island, including Cranston, Warwick, Providence, East Greenwich, Richmond, Coventry and Barrington, with the producer herself, Carla Molina, hailing from Warwick. Molina is thrilled with the cast that’s come together to create this year’s show.

“Producing and directing the Providence show has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredibly talented women writers right in my own backyard and provide a platform for them to share their amazing stories. Rhode Island never ceases to amaze me with the number of talented writers and stories it’s got amongst its citizens,” she said.

Although the post-secondary education and experience among this cast of talented female writers abounds, ranging from masters and doctoral degrees to professional positions in every area imaginable, it’s the stories about their mothers, motherhood or being a mother that have drawn each of them together for this sure-to-be memorable performance. Many of the authors, although quite comfortable writing, have never performed on stage before, or may never have put their writing out there until this opportunity presented itself. For many, just auditioning for the show alone was a step out of their comfort zone. However, they are each finding it rewarding and inspiring as the show date gets closer.

“I’m proud to be part of a growing sisterhood that honors motherhood in such a creative, accessible way,” said Stephanie Bernaba, one of the 2014 Providence cast members.

Fellow cast member Wendy Maldonado D’Amico agrees, noting that the show has been a great way for her to meet people as a recent newcomer to the state.

“I attended the inaugural performance of LTYM in Providence last year, and was so entertained and inspired that I felt compelled to audition this year,” she said. “I moved to Providence from Philadelphia two years ago, and this show has given me a great way to connect with other moms and writers here.”

The group auditioned their pieces in March and met for the first time in April. They have since rehearsed their pieces together, watching the show gel from being many separate pieces and emerging as one complete show, while connecting over the common bond that has brought them all together.

“I am so excited to be a part of Listen to Your Mother, Providence! Each writer’s reflections about motherhood are fascinating on their own, but even more meaningful when placed in the context of the other essays that make up the show,” said cast member Lori Nassif Istok.

The entire show will run approximately 90 minutes, with each cast member’s piece lasting about five minutes. There are more than a dozen writers performing in the show. Local sponsors include Flamand and Associates, The Gordon School and Made in March. National sponsors include BlogHer and Chevrolet, with media coverage of the nationwide event appearing on NBC News, in the New York Times, Huffington Post and the Washington Post, as well as in local news outlets all across the country.

To purchase tickets for the Providence show, visit the website at www.listentoyourmothershow.com.

The 2014 Providence cast members are: Anika Denise; Carla Molina; Chelley Martinka; Claire Nicogossian; Clare Blackmer; Daphnee Rentfrow; Jennifer L. Cowart; Karen Haskell; Lori Nassif Istok; Michele Austin; Stephanie Bernaba; Tricia Kelly; Wendy M. D’Amico.

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