MOM'S THE WORD Makes West Coast Premiere At El Portal Forum Theatre 9/18

A Schenk You Very Much Productions will present the West Coast Premiere of the award-winning play MOM'S THE WORD by Linda A. Carson, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard and Deborah Williams at the El Portal Forum Theatre (5269 Lankershim Boulevard) in North Hollywood. Jerry London (Emmy Award-winning mini-series Shogun) directs this play written by moms about motherhood, pregnancy and childbirth from the good, the bad and the yucky. Performances run September 15 - November 8, 2009, with the official press opening on Friday, September 18.

"MOM'S THE WORD was the funniest play I had read in a year. The real mother writers created a comic, tragic and perverse play, said director Jerry London. "The realism of childbirth and being a mother will relate to all mothers.

Producer Cathy Schenkelberg added, "I had performed in MOM'S in Chicago and loved the show, and loved the fact that it was relatable to all types of moms. As a new mom, I thought, ‘boy these moms (playwrights) know where I'm coming from.' The stories they share make you realize as a mom that you are not the only one going crazy here. All in all I found it comforting and okay to have those moments. I know that my mom, who raised ten kids, sure did!"

MOM'S THE WORD is written by six playwrights, all of whom are mothers. They share their agonies and ecstasies of parenting. This funny and touching play deals in vivid details with all the important elements of childrearing from sleep deprivation to sex after children. In a chorus line of confessional anecdotes and vignettes, MOM'S THE WORD gives an intimate look at raising a child and the ironies of losing your former life.

Jerry London directs a cast of five featuring Susan Giosa as Linda (Tamara - LADCC and Drama-Logue Winner), Cathy Schenkelberg as Deborah (Mom's the Word/Chicago Company), Kimleigh Smith as Robin (A Clockwork Orange at The Steppenwolf Theatre), Gina Torrecilla as Jill (Assassins), and Becky Thyre as Alison (Weeds).

The West Coast Premiere of MOM'S THE WORD is presented by Schenk You Very Much Production. The play was originally produced in Canada in 1996 and has had five sell-out seasons in Vancouver, completed four Canadian tours, and played to resounding sell-out success at the 2001 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. In 2003, MOM'S THE WORD played at the Albery Theatre in the West End of London. Productions have also played in Chicago, Minneapolis and Houston.

MOM'S THE WORD performs September 15 through November 8, 2009, with the official press opening on Friday, September 18. The West Coast Premiere will play at the El Portal Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood. Performance schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. All tickets are $25.00. Tickets are available by calling (818) 508-4200 or online at www.ElPortalTheatre.com. For information visit www.MomsTheWordLA.com.