"If Momma Was Married" - Gypsy.
One of the more famous mothers ever to grace the stage was Rose. Playgoers frequently refer to her as Momma Rose - but she is not actually ever called that in the show!. Gypsy is the (heavily) fictionalized story of Gypsy Rose Lee. Any resemblance between the show and reality is highly coincidental. In the show, Rose and her daughters have a tempestuous relationship. Summed up in this song by Natalie Wood (Louise) and Ann Jillian (June) in the film version:
"Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now" - Hairspray.
Since conflict is the basis of drama - daughters and mothers have always had conflict matched with their love for each other. This is all captured in "Momma I'm A Big Girl Now" from Hairspray, the Musical! This is some of the original cast including Laura Bell Bundy (Amber), Jacki Hoffman (Penny's Mom) and Kerry Butler (Penny) performing after the show Disaster! The Muscial in which Kerry Butler stars, and she kind of - well actually does - forget the lyrics. But not the dance moves!
"Peas in A Pod" - Grey Gardens
Grey Gardens is based on the documentary "Grey Gardens" about the Aunt and Cousin of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Christine Ebersole plays Big Edie in this number (she plays Little Edie in Act Two) and won the Tony Award. These two women have some issues with each other - but not always.
"I'd Give My Life For You" - Miss Saigon
Switching over from children reactions to mothers, this next clip is from the Manila production of Miss Saigon - which may be my favorite musical. It has the incredible Lea Salonga - who originated the role of Kim in London (at age 17) then Broadway and then Manila. For those that don't know, at the end of the Vietnam War, Kim, recently arrived in Saigon after her family has been killed in their village, is forced by circumstance to become a prostitute for The Engineer. Chris, an American Marine, buys her for the evening. They fall in love. When the Americans evacuate, Kim and Chris are separated. She is left behind - and has a child. And she sings this to her little boy.
"The Story Goes On" - Baby
This last clip is a little long - but well worth it. It is from the original Broadway production of Baby. Baby was a musical about three women - a young unmarried woman, Lizzie; a 30 year old married teacher desperate to have a baby and a 40 something married woman who unexpectedly is pregnant after a celebration with her husband. Lizzie is living with her boyfriend and becomes pregnant. She decides to keep the baby. And then ..... well this happens. This Act One closer is one of the best closing numbers of any show by the incredible Liz Callaway. And a perfect song about being a mother.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!
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