For Immediate Release:Contact: David Kuehn, Executive DirectorCotuit Center for the ArtsPhone: (508) 428-0669Email: David@cotuitcenterforthearts.orgWebsite: ArtsOnTheCape.org

Celebrate Mother’s Day with “Moms on Broadway” at Cotuit Center for the Arts

Cotuit Center for the Arts presents “Moms on Broadway,” directed by Gwen Bainier, on Mother’s Day weekend. Performances are Friday, May 8, at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, May 10, at noon and at 5 PM. The noon show includes brunch, treats made by the moms, and all shows include a free glass of champagne for every mom.

Back by popular demand, “Moms on Broadway” is “the perfect place to bring your mom on Mother’s Day,” said Bainier who directs the cast of 14 moms, as they celebrate the joys and frustrations of motherhood in song and dance. “Our single performance last year sold out very quickly, so we are offering three shows this year, to meet the demand,” said Bainier.

Among the songs on the program are “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,” from the musical “Annie,” which was recently presented at Cotuit Center for the Arts. “But this is the mom’s version of the song, and it is going to be very funny,” said Bainier, who rewrote the lyrics.

Bainier has also rewritten the famous Gershwin song, “Summertime” as a humorous “Dinnertime,” sung by Rachel Youngling. The cast will also sing and dance their unique version of “Footloose.”

There will be jazz, including some very complicated harmonies in “Hit Me with a Hot Note,” from Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” and the Andrews Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

“This year we’re also exploring the comedy in mother-daughter relationships in songs like ‘Don’t Tell Mama’ from ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Mama I’m a Big Girl Now’ from ‘Hairspray,’” said Bainier.

Though there will be some professional performers, including classical soloist Jeanne Prendergast and jazz singer Donna Scheer, many of the women are relatively new to performing. Most participated in last year’s show, though, having been encouraged by Bainier to get out of their “mom box” and try something new.

Inspired by the results of her Cape Cod Kids on Broadway musical theater productions, Bainier, a private voice and piano teacher, decided to direct “Moms on Broadway” last year to give mothers an opportunity to express themselves in a very different way. “It is empowerment for women,” she said.

“What happened last year was that they really, really bonded—like the Ya Ya Sisterhood—something I was not expecting,” Bainier said. “Women who were nervous or had never performed before got enormous support from the group, giving them courage to perform in front of an audience. They

really blossomed, so much so that we’re taking it up a couple of notches this year. We’re adding a lot more complicated harmonies and choreography—and more humor.”

After last year’s show, four of the moms began taking tap lessons, and they, along with Lisa Taylor, who otherwise serves as the piano accompanist for the show, will be performing “Tap Your Troubles Away.”

Other cast members are Margeaux Weber, Timea Menyhart, Diana Kenney, Alicea Sader, Lorraine Massarsky, Jennifer Steinhilber, Christine Martiny, Candy Johansen, and Karen Trent. Bainier plays multiple roles in addition to directing; she will join in some of the songs and play piano for some as well.

Originally from Massachusetts, Bainier lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years before moving to the Cape with her family. Her background includes opera, musical theater, television, and film. She was the head of the music department of a professional performing arts school in Hollywood and also worked with actors on diction and speech. She teaches voice and piano on the Cape, in addition to her Cape Cod Kids on Broadway workshops (capecodkidsonbroadway.com). She has also directed at Harwich Junior Theatre.

Tickets for the Friday and Sunday evening shows are $20, $17 for seniors and veterans, and $15 for members. Tickets for the Sunday noontime show, which includes brunch and champagne for moms, are $25, $22 for seniors and veterans, and $20 for members. Moms in the audience will receive free champagne for all 3 shows.

Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit. For more information, visit artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669.

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What: “Moms on Broadway”

Where: Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit

When: Friday, May 8, 7:30 PM; Sunday, May 10, noon and 5 PM

Admission:Tickets for Friday and at 5 PM Sunday: $20, $17 for seniors/veterans, and $15 for membersTickets for Sunday noon (includes brunch and snacks made by moms): $25, $22 seniors/veterans, and $20 for members.

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