New Ohio Theatre Artistic Director Robert Lyons in association with Purpleman Theater presents Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel's And Baby Makes Seven. Directed by Marc Stuart Weitz, And Baby Makes Seven is an uproarious and timely comedy that has not been seen professionally in New York in 20 years. Performances will take place March 11-April 12 at the New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street, between Washington and Greenwich Streets). Opening night is set for Sunday, March 23 at 7:00pm.
Vogel's And Baby Makes Seven follows the story of Anna and Ruth, a lesbian couple, who enlist their gay friend Peter to help them create a family. But are any of them ready for parenthood? Tensions rise as the three adults prepare for the imminent arrival of their baby- meanwhile matters are made all the more challenging by the persistence of the three imaginary children who already live with them. The lines between fantasy and reality, child and adult, love and madness crisscross through this hysterically funny and deeply touching play about what it means to be a family.
Vogel, whose plays include The Baltimore Waltz (OBIE Award) and How I Learned to Drive (Pulitzer Prize), reflected on the wildly theatrical characters she created in 1984: "I think it will be interesting to see my (imaginary) boys in the 21st century," said Vogel. "I wrote this play in the 20th century, when I still had the energy to envision a sexual utopia. Now we have dogs..."
"Paula imagined this particular non-conventional family a generation ago amidst a very different cultural landscape," said Weitz. "Today 'modern families' are becoming more visible on television, in movies, and on-stage-And Baby Makes Seven was on the bleeding edge of that cultural wave. Decades ago, some audiences were so shocked by two lesbian characters kissing onstage and the unusual make-up of this family that they, perhaps, were unable to focus on the larger story. For me And Baby Makes Seven is really about the question, 'What do I need to sacrifice to be ready to be a parent?' That's a question many people wrestle with, and Paula explores it in a way that is funny, edgy, and very honest. I'm so grateful that Paula has allowed us to reintroduce this story to New York audiences after a 20 year absence."
The creative team includes Brett J. Banakis (Sets), Sydney Maresca (Costumes),
Bradley King (Lights),
Ien DeNio (Sound),
Lauren Madden (Properties Master), Chris Batstone (Production Manager), Joseph Heaton (Production Stage Manager), Jordan Schildcrout (Dramaturg), and Nicole Golden (Associate Producer). Produced by New Ohio Theatre in association with Purpleman Theater.
Tickets, priced from $20-30, will go on sale in January and will be available for purchase by visiting
newohiotheatre.org or calling
888.596.1027. Group and student tickets will be offered as well. For more information, visit
hatethebaby.com.
Performance dates and times along with casting information will be announced at a later date.
