The Company
Two weekends ago, the performing arts department at Lees-McRae College was hard at work putting together our production of Baby; the Musical. Baby tells the story of three couples at three different stages in their lives having a baby. The first couple, Lizzie and Danny, are sophomores in college when they have an unexpected pregnancy. The second couple, Nick and Pam, are athletic coaches at a university who have been married for 5 years and have problems conceiving because of medical issues. Lastly, the third couple, Arleen and Alan, are in their 40s and have three kids who are off to college and… surprise! They are pregnant again. The musical ties all three of these stories together to create a fun and emotional journey the audience experiences.
The cast of baby included Randi Sowards as Lizzie, Ethan Henry as Danny, Osmary Nieves as Pam, Richard Gebo as Nick, Makenzie Simpson as Arlene and Jarrett Koski as Alan. The ensemble included Sarah Rutzen, Chloe Boggs, Emma Sheffer, Kaitlyn Buchanan, Stephen Redmon, Miky Prather, Ryan Tucker and Brad Skinner.
Pam and Nick
I had the pleasure of playing Pam in our production of Baby, although it was a bittersweet experience as Baby is my last show at Lees-McRae before I graduate in May. With that said, the show was a lot of fun, and I learned so much about myself. I was also able to help tell a story that related to many of our audience members.
Fatherhood Blues!
Furthermore, one of my favorite scenes in the show had to have been the “Fatherhood Blues.” In this scene, all the men in the show talk about all the things they go through as dads and how they wouldn’t change it for the world.
I want it all!
Another one of my favorite scenes in the show included the doctor’s office scene where all three women (Lizzie, Pam, Arleen) meet and talk about how excited/nervous they are to be having a baby. “I want it all” is a fun song that shows just how excited they are to become moms. They can’t wait – they “want it all.”
Overall, the show was a great experience. It was also very well received by our audience. I had several audience members after the show tell me that they were very touched by my performance and that they had gone through a similar situation in their life. As a performer, that is all I can ask for to just touch one person, because performing is what I love to do!
Coming soon in April are the Student Directed One Acts! I hope to see you there!
All production photos were taken by Mindi Bishop.