Stage Mothers

The Addams Family
Bebe Neuwirth stars as Morticia in this musical, based on the iconic characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. In the show, Morticia and Gomez’s (Roger Rees) daughter Wednesday (Rachel Potter) brings a new beau — as well as his parents, played by Heidi Blickenstaff and Adam Grupper — home to meet her unusual family.

Anything Goes
Evangeline Harcourt (played by Jessica Walter) wants her daughter Hope (Laura Osnes) to marry well, even if it means sacrificing Hope’s chances for true love in this musical confection, set on a cruise ship and featuring a classic score from Cole Porter.

Baby, It’s You
This musical revolves around Florence Greenberg (Beth Leavel), a suburban 1950s housewife from New Jersey, whose daughter Mary Jane (Kelli Barrett) introduces her mom to four high school classmates — whom Greenberg catapults to fame as The Shirelles.

Billy Elliot the Musical
Laura Marie Duncan currently performs the role of Mum in this Tony Award-winning musical. Her character is already deceased as the show begins, but she appears to her son as he reads aloud a letter she left for him, which truly demonstrates her motherly affection.

Catch Me If You Can
Paula Abagnale (played by Rachel de Benedet), may be a bit of a neglectful mother, as her son Frank (Aaron Tveit) runs away and becomes a con artist. But this lively musical also has Carol Strong (portrayed with over-the-top hilarity by Linda Hart), who is supportive of her daughter Brenda (Kerry Butler).

Good People
Frances McDormand delivers an outstanding performance as the newly unemployed South Boston native Margie Walsh, who is desperate for a job to support both herself and her birth-defect-challenged daughter. To that end, she looks up former boyfriend Mike (Tate Donovan), and ends up in an altercation with both him and his wife, Kate (Renee Elise Goldsberry), who is herself a new mother.

The House of Blue Leaves
Edie Falco‘s mentally challenged Bananas pulls through for her troubled son Ronnie (Christopher Abbot) in John Guare’s drama, as she convinces Hollywood director Billy Einhorn (Thomas Sadoski) to call in a favor to get Ronnie out of trouble.

The Importance of Being Earnest
Brian Bedford directs and stars as the intimidating Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy. She is very particular about who her daughter, Gwendolyn (Jessie Austrian), will marry, much to the consternation of the girl’s suitor, Jack Worthing (David Furr).

Mamma Mia!
Donna (Lisa Brescia) has successfully raised her daughter Sophie (Liana Hunt) without any help from a man. So, even though Sophie would still like to learn who her Dad is (and has invited the three most likely suspects to her wedding), the mother-daughter bond in this musical, featuring the songs of ABBA, is quite strong.

Mary Poppins
At the beginning of this Disney musical based on the classic film, Mrs. Winifred Banks (Megan Osterhaus) is relying on nannies — including the title character (played by Ashley Brown) — to raise her children, but over the course of the show comes fully into her own and becomes a much better mother as a result.

The People in the Picture
Holocaust survivor and former Yiddish Theatre star Raisel (Donna Murphy) regales granddaughter Jenny (Rachel Resheff) with tales from her past, even though Raisel’s own daughter Red (Nicole Parker) is keenly aware of the parts of the story her mother keeps leaving out.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical
Marion (Jessica Phillips) has been a single mother for years, raising her son Benji (played by Luke Mannikus at some performances, Ashton Woerz at others) the best she knows how. And yet, Marion also realizes that Benji should still have a father in his life, so contacts her drag diva husband Tick (Will Swenson) to come and share in the parenting duties.

Sister Act
Victoria Clark portrays the Mother Superior in this musical, based on the 1992 film of the same name. Her quiet, contemplative existence is interrupted by brash nightclub singer Deloris (Patina Miller), who is hiding out in her convent after witnessing a murder. While there is an initial clash of personalities, the two women learn from each other and expand one another’s horizons.

War Horse
Rose Narracott (Alyssa Bresnahan) has a good rapport with son Albert (Seth Numrich), lending him moral support and encouragement, particularly since the lad’s father, her husband Ted (Boris McGiver), is not exactly the world’s best dad.

Wonderland
A new Alice (Janet Dacal) goes down the rabbit hole in this update to the Alice in Wonderland mythos. But part of Alice’s journey of discovery involves her rescue of daughter Chloe (Carly Rose Sonenclar), who has been kidnapped by the Mad Hatter (Kate Shindle).