What if an adoptee, in search of her birth-mother, finds a complete family of eccentrics? Even an embarrassment? Even more? Playwright Stephen Storc asked himself that question and answered it with Finding Mother. Start with Mr. and Mrs. Average American, Jacky and Richard Chandler (Courtney McMillon and Nick Kennedy) and their two average kids, a teenage daughter (Liz Lansing) and preteen son (Steffen Calac). Add Jacky's desire to find her mother. Then, actually find mom along with her six siblings (David Roberts, Chris Hastings, Janet Hansen, Christopher D'Armond, Steve Rich, and Linda Collins).
Director Storc cast with an eye for contrast. The Chandlers look like they just came off the cover of Family Circle Magazine. Richard knows the internet, Jacky is a doting mother, their teenage daughter is much too pretty, and their son is much too wise for his age. Enter the siblings. One brother comes in dressed in full leathers, shirtless. Another looks like a typical family man until we find out he is still wearing an ankle transmitter -- a provision of probation. The final brother is a stereotypical used-car salesman.
The sisters don't fare much better. There is the repressed librarian. One is a new-age white witch (white as in good). Finally, through the front door flounces Chris Hastings, a cross- dressing brother. Okay, biologically he is not a sister, but thematically he is. Spring Roney is mom. Physically she is easily dominated by everybody onstage except Calac. In the acting department, nobody dominates her. Her character's story and her performance are worth the modest price of admission.
Kennedy, although occasionally over-the-top, is convincing as a loving husband bewildered by what his research hath wrought. His role as observer of the madcap extended family works well, giving the play a nice balance. McMillon plays a totally overwhelmed woman barely understanding a mother of seven kids with seven different fathers.
The children are given words by Storc that are wise beyond their ages ù a commentary on the adults. They have a charming moment standing halfway up the staircase silently observing the adults non-adult behavior below them. Storc has balanced the serious desire of searching for a birth mother with his twisted, strange humor that makes this comedy both funny and endearing. He has also brought two new folks to the stage for the first time, as well as introducing his audience to some talent not previously seen at Theatrx. Beyond that, he even sneaks in a couple of songs; it's impossible to repress this excellent composer/lyricist.
