On the Town: FSA event gives voice to motherhood
There are few, if any, institutions that create more joy, love, pride, laughter, frustration, disappointment, heartache and tears than motherhood. All of those feelings and emotions were clearly on display last week as the Ann Imig production of “Listen to Your Mother” was presented at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
The show, billed as “Giving Motherhood a Microphone,” was a single-performance event that gave 13 local writers the opportunity to share their stories of motherhood, while benefiting the Family Service Agency of Burbank.
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A series created by Imig in 2010, Burbank joined in with 40 other cities across North America to present the “Listen to Your Mother” event which is uniquely produced in each community and is becoming a national tradition in the days leading up to Mother’s Day.
Last week’s show was co-directed and produced by Taia Perry and Suzanne Weerts — a duo who are no strangers to the local theater and arts community. Among those who participated as performers were Ashley Alteman, Ellen Ancui, Hedia Anvar, Pam Bassuk, Courtney Crane, Richard Donatone, Juanita Mantz, Lori Pacino, Joanna Peresie, Angela Riggs, Suzanne Skrabak, Shari Wendt and Patricia Lee Willson.
Ranging from inspirational and heartbreaking to thought-provoking and hilarious, last week’s 90-minute performance was made possible by the show’s sponsors, Alisa Cunningham, Susy Shearer, John Akers, Richard D’Argenzio and Margaret Fink.
Others who helped make the fundraiser a success were Barbara Beckley and Genetra Tull of the Colony Theatre, and supporters Tracy Chiang, Darby Orr, Jennifer Hughs, Stephanie Precourt, Felipe Morales and David Flynn.
Among the notables in attendance were former Burbank Mayors Anja Reinke and Marsha Ramos, Burbank Unified School Board member Steve Ferguson, former city manager Mary Alvord, who serves on the board of Family Service Agency of Burbank and the organization’s director, Laurie Bleick.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
