Mud is an adventure about two boys, Ellis and his friend Neckbone, who find a man named Mud hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Mud describes fantastic scenarios-he killed a man in Texas and vengeful bounty hunters are coming to get him. He says he is planning to meet and escape with the love of his life, Juniper, who is waiting for him in town. Skeptical but intrigued, Ellis and Neckbone agree to help him. It isn’t long until Mud’s visions come true and their small town is besieged by a beautiful girl with a line of bounty hunters in tow.

A wonderful, piquant modern-day variation on “Huckleberry Finn.” – The New York Post

Rated R
2 hours and 10 minutes
In Theatre514

Friday & Saturday: 2:00, 5:00, 8:00
Sunday: 12:00, 2:45, 8:00
Monday- Thursday: 4:45, 7:30

Happy Mother’s Day from all the Mommas involved with our production of  MOMMALOGUES.

I’d like to share with you a bit about the two women in the picture. Each has played a significant role in my life, and although they have both passed away, they have a permanent place in the hearts of anyone who ever was embraced by the unconditional love that they freely offered. Aunt Lena (left) and my Mom (right), along with a host of other fabulous women, are celebrated in our production. We believe that you will laugh out loud, cry quietly, smile a lot, and simply fall in love with these women. AND you may even learn how to use “operopathy” to cure your ills and pastina soup to soothe your soul, not to mention the “fanny shake” method of banishing sorrow.

Please join us at TBG Mainstage Theatre to meet not only the women we celebrate, but the exceptionally talented actresses who bring them to life. Produced by Marvell Repertory Theatre, our show runs Wednesday, May 22nd at 3 & 8 pm, Friday, May 24th at 8 pm, Wednesday, May 29th at 3 & 8 pm, and Saturday, June 1st at 8 pm. If you are a mom, daughter, grandmother, aunt, or teacher , this show is “required viewing.” If you are a man, you will swear that one or several of these women is definitely related to you.

To reserve tickets ($25), go to www.marvellrep.com.

There is no gift that adequately lets our mothers know just how much they mean to us……at least a gift that is in the average budget. Sometimes we dream about winning the lottery and buying mom a new house or car, or sending her to the foreign country she has always wanted to see. Sometimes, we find that special gift, the right piece of jewelry or the perfect frame for a picture. Or we send roses and chocolates accompanied by cards with lovely messages. And mom appreciates our efforts and tells us that our gift is just what she wanted.

But in our hearts, we know that the one gift that she most treasures is time with us. Time to walk hand in hand, share a meal, attend a concert or a play.

So today, I would like to suggest that you give mom a gift she will never forget.  Give your mom a note that tells her that you will be taking her to MOMMALOGUES in New York City on one of the following dates: Wednesday, May 22nd at 3 pm or 8 pm, Friday, May 24th at 8 pm, Wednesday, May 29th at 3 pm or 8 pm, or Saturday, June 1st at 8 pm. I promise that you will share a magical time together as you watch four fabulous actresses share some wonderful stories about mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, teachers and students, aunts and nieces. This one gift will give additional gifts of laughter, tears, memories, and especially love to your mom.

For tickets, which are only $25, go to https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/30515/1367452800000. When you attend, make sure we know that you are there with your mom….we would love to meet her, perhaps hear a story or two…..maybe even gather a bit of material for MOMMALOGUES II !!

 So, the merry month of May is upon us. And you know what that means….time to thank mom for 364 days of putting you first. On Mother’s Day, she finally gets her turn.

In grade school, I remember making messy but elaborate cards with buttons and lace and colored paper….spending hours to make up a poem about how wonderful mom was. By high school, I graduated to memory books filled with lists of important occasions and family pictures with “profound” quotes beneath them. Once off to college, I turned to hand-printed coupons to be redeemed for “a special dinner with just the two of us.” And then she was gone, taken too early to receive the “real” gifts that she deserved for 21 years of unconditional love.

So 40 plus years later, Gretchen Klinedinst Furst  and I have written this play that pays tribute to our  mothers and some other fabulous women who have enhanced the quality of our lives. And we think that you and your momma would really love it.

Maybe this Mother’s Day you might consider giving your mom the gift of some time with you….watching a play about the unique and wonderful relationship between mothers and daughters.

We’d be happy to create the certificate that tells her that you will be taking her to see MOMMALOGUES  on one of our six performances…….unless you’d rather create your own poem or memory book or printed coupon.

To purchase tickets, just go to www.marvellrep.com. Gretchen and I would love to meet  you and your momma.

I guess it’s time that you formally meet the two women who created MOMMALOGUES.

I am Sharon Lee Glassman (right) and one day as I walked along the beach, a monologue started writing itself in my head. With much the same rhythm as the waves at my side, the women who have made all the difference in my life drifted in and out of my memory. Right there under a bright afternoon sunshine, I  knew that this was one of my many ideas that I was going to bring to fruition. I wrote the first “mommalogue” on the long drive home from Florida…….interestingly enough it was not about my mother, the most influential and kindest woman in my life, but about the mother of a mean girl from my grade school experience. Once the “writing gene” kicked in, I could not stop!!

With the same “flash of insight” that I had when the idea was conceived, I knew that my long time friend Gretchen Klinedinst Furst had to be a part of this project. We shared a strong sense of family, a history of teaching and theatre, a profound love for our daughters and mothers, a desire to write, and an obsession with desserts, especially chocolate. It only took one phone call to form the “team” and before long, we were writing, critiquing, rewriting, laughing, crying (we do a lot of that), and in general shaping the MOMMALOGUES that will be presented by Marvell Repertory Theatre for six performances.

Of course, we each have formal biographical information that we would be happy to provide (degrees, experiences as actresses and directors, ages (never), places of birth, etc.), but for now the most important thing you can know about us is that we are mothers and daughters who have written about wonderful women (including grandmothers, aunts, teachers) who, even though they are a part of our lives,  you will recognize as though they are a part of yours.

To join us at the New York premiere of MOMMALOGUES, go to www.marvellrep.com and order tickets. We will be there to meet you.

One of the most talked about new American musicals of the past decade, Next to Normal is a critically acclaimed and groundbreaking rock musical that captured three 2010 Tony Awards (including best book and score) and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The Goodmans are an American family who are living as close to “normal” as it can. Matriarch Diana Goodman, a bipolar, suburban housewife, is in a constant battle with her own mental demons while her family, husband Dan and daughter Natalie, must deal with a constantly shifting dynamic in the household. Next to Normal is a remarkable musical about a family struggling to take care of each other and themselves as they cope with loss, life and defining what it means to be “normal”.

A Civic Theatre Production
in the Nineteenth Street Theatre
May 3-19, 2013 (3 added performances!)
Book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt

Available Tickets:

Friday, May 3 @ 8 pm – $31 adults, $28 students/seniors
Saturday, May 4 @ 8 pm –  $31 adults, $28 students/seniors
Sunday, May 5 @ 2 pm – $31 adults, $26 students/seniors
Thursday, May 9 @ 7 pm – $25 adults, $20 students/seniors
 (Talkback with Lehigh Valley Psychiatrists and the Next to Normal Cast immediately follows May 9 performance. )
Friday, May 10 @ 8 pm – $31 adults, $28 students/seniors
Saturday, May 11 @ 8 pm - $31 adults, $28 students/seniors
Friday, May 17 @ 8 pm – $31 adults, $28 students/seniors
Saturday, May 18 @ 8 pm – $31 adults, $28 students/seniors
Sunday, May 19 @ 2 pm – - $31 adults, $26 students/seniors

City Arts: Summer Camp provides children ages 7–11 with a unique opportunity to learn about art, music, dance, and theatre from local artists and performers. Civic Theatre of Allentown—in collaboration with: The Allentown Art Museum, The Baum School of Art, Community Music School, Miller Symphony Hall, and Repertory Dance Theatre—will participate in the camp.

The camp runs from June 24 – June 28, and tuition costs $210. Register by April 30 to get a $15 discount. Students must be dropped off at Community Music School at 9 AM, and then picked up from The Baum School of Art at 4 PM.

Age Range: 7 – 11
Tuition: $210
Start Date: June 24, 2013
Days/Times: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM

Register by clicking here.

Meet Sheila Stasack, the 4th actress starring in the New York premiere of MOMMALOGUES.  In addition to being featured in many contemporary plays, the accomplished actress has portrayed many Shakespearean roles such as Gertrude in HAMLET (in the Ukranian tour) , Amelia in COMEDY OF ERRORS, and Nurse and Lady Capulet in ROMEO AND JULIET.

Sheila has also been seen on some of your television favorites including  ”Law and Order,” “One LIfe to Live,” and “Guiding Light.”

So, now you have met the entire cast. Stay tuned to hear about our understudies, two of your favorite local extraordinary actresses.

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Last year, Mommalogues premiered at Civic’s Theatre514. This year Marvell Rep will premiere an all-new production Off-Broadway!  First performance May 22 @ 2 pm with 5 additional performances through June 1. Click on the link below for more information.
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/30515/1367452800000

Meet Lisa Riegel, our third actress in MOMMALOGUES. She will be performing “Cassie, ” “Battered Momma,” “The House Dress,” and “Nan.”

Lisa, a graduate of  Indiana University has been seen on  New York and regional stages. She has performed in concert with Jeremy Irons and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

For tickets to see Linda and our other three lovely actresses in the New York premiere of MOMMALOGUES, go to www.marvellrep.com.

Just to keep you in the “journey loop,” tomorrow Deann Simmons Halper  who will be assisting  Bill Sanders in the direction of MOMMALOGUES, is coming in from New York to meet with Bill, Gretchen and me. Cannot wait!

*   *   *   *

Last year, Mommalogues premiered at Civic’s Theatre514. This year Marvell Rep will premiere an all-new production Off-Broadway!  First performance May 22 @ 2 pm with 5 additional performances through June 1. Click on the link below for more information.
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/30515/1367452800000

Actress # 2, Elizabeth Stahlmann is the captivating young woman who will be performing “New Normal,” “Good Enough,” Warrior Mom,” and the MOMMALOGUES finale, “Baby Leigh’s Mom.” Elizabeth graduated from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre Actor Training Program. She has performed on regional and New York stages, including a stint with Marvell Repertory Theatre as Manke in GOD OF VENGEANCE. She joins the MOMMALOGUES from her tour with The Acting Company/Guthrie in  AS YOU LIKE IT  in which she played the role of Rosalind.

You can join Elizabeth and the entire cast of MOMMALOGUES at The Barrow Group Mainstage Theatre on Wednesday, May 22nd at 3 pm and 8 pm, Friday, May 24th at 8 pm, Wednesday, May 29th at 3 pm and 8 pm, or Saturday, June 1st at 8 pm.

For tickets or additional information about Marvell Repertory, the fabulous company which is producing MOMMALOGUES, go to https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/30515/1367452800000

SEE YOU IN NEW YORK!!

*   *   *   *

Last year, Mommalogues premiered at Civic’s Theatre514. This year Marvell Rep will premiere an all-new production Off-Broadway!  First performance May 22 @ 2 pm with 5 additional performances through June 1. Click on the link below for more information.
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/30515/1367452800000