We are less than two weeks from show date.

Just two months ago we were immersed in auditions and meeting talented, wonderful people who embraced vulnerability in sharing their deeply personal stories. Twelve of those became the cast of Listen To Your Mother San Francisco and the event took on a life of its own. We’ve had two rehearsals – one a round-table reading where we all met as a group for the first time, the second just over a week ago where we stood in front of one another at a lectern and the show *became* a show. We brought tissues this time and although we were all braced and ready and determined not to cry, there were tears. No cardigans were harmed this time around.

Kirsten and I are shepherding the process as delicately as we can, aware that this undertaking we blithely jumped into over six months ago is a living breathing entity. The stories and essays that our cast will be sharing are universal – along with the audience we will nod and think “me too” and weep and laugh and snort with shared empathy. The people behind the stories we’ll be hearing have become as dear to us as old friends.

THESE people….

Estelle, sassy creative talent behind Under A Pink Moon where she touches on what is most important to her in life – cooking, gardening, green living and parenting.

Nichole, writer of In These Small Moments and practitioner of gratitude at sheknows, she sweetly chronicles the small moments of everyday living.

Rhea, who makes music and dances and parents while also writing about spirituality and pop culture at Thirty Threadbare Mercies, and wears the best clothes.

Rhiana, who escapes her children to write in San Francisco coffee shops for Married With Toddlers and the Huffington Post, she challenges the mommy stereotypes.

Margaret, who lives and writes in exile in the Sierra foothills where she writes for Tales of a Sierra Madre and tries not to embarrass her children.  Except when necessary.

Melissa, who dreams of sleeping in while balancing her work as a pediatrician with parenting and writing for Confessions of a Dr. Mom.

Sherri, who writes at Old Tweener about the perils of middle-age,  a clean home, wistfulness over babies, and anything else that makes her laugh (or cry) in the years between changing diapers and wearing them.

Joy, who keeps us laughing through tears at every turn and writes at The Parenting Myth about her adventures and misadventures as a parent.

Lorrie, the very calm therapist who believes in the power of language and other creative outlets for self-expression and healing.

Esther, our southerner in exile, who has a 12 year background in politics which undoubtedly helps her facilitate parenting two children and who makes us snort with laughter.

Andre, our one male cast member with a one man show who knocks our socks off no matter how many time we hear his story, and copes admirably with the surplus of estrogen.

Robyn, whose cardigan gained fame at our first rehearsal, writes at Who’s the Boss and promises to share what the secret of parenting success is on May 10.

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We hope you’ve bought tickets already because you do not want to miss meeting these people and hearing their stories.  See you at the show!

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