FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
– by Ellie Grossman, Laura Edwards-Ray & Naomi Francis, Co-Producer/Directors
–Her newborn daughter was born with a rare physical deformity that would have devastated many families, but not this one. After many surgeries and setbacks over the years, her little girl has fully recovered and today talks openly and proudly about her condition that makes her unique. Through it all, her little girl’s bravery, courage and willingness to share her story has inspired her mom to be strong and speak about her own journey parenting this special child.
-Raising children is difficult enough in today’s society, but this African American mom of two black teenagers faces extraordinary challenges to keep her sons safe and give them the same opportunities to succeed as their white peers. Her powerful story forces us to accept the reality of racial divide that exists in our local and national community.
-Being a stepmom conjures up images of a mean, uncaring parent but this mom breaks the mold with her funny, poignant story about her own experience co-parenting her young stepdaughter. She learned to break the rules and follow her instincts, which included lots of love, patience, forgiveness, understanding, and strength to let go, which taught her how to be a parent to her own two biological sons.
-There are all kinds of families out there, and this funny, bittersweet story explores what it’s like to raise two sons in a two-mommy family. Dealing with questions and misconceptions from other parents is part of their everyday life, and this writer openly shares and enlightens us about being a gay parent.
-This woman wanted to be a mom more than anything, but she had no idea that being a foster mom would change her life in ways she never imagined. Learning how to love a little boy and accept his troubled biological family in her life taught her the real meaning of motherhood.
These are a few of the powerful journeys of motherhood that will be celebrated during the 90-minute show of Listen to Your Mother St. Louis at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 13th, at St. Luke’s Institute for Health Education, 232 South Woods Mill Road, in Chesterfield. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased at listentoyourmothershow.com/stlouis.
Fourteen talented local writers will share their intimate stories that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling inspired. The event includes food, vendors, and an opportunity to shop for designer clothes at Mystique Boutique.
Listen to Your Mother is a national movement to give motherhood a microphone and occurs in 32 cities across America and Canada, as a moving way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Each show is produced, directed and performed by the local community, for the local community. The fifth annual St. Louis event is co-produced and directed by Ellie Grossman, Laura Edwards-Ray and Naomi Francis.
“This year’s cast reflects the diversity, complexity, and of course humor in motherhood. We could not be more proud to put our talented storytellers and St Louis community in the spotlight and give a voice to stories that leave a legacy and need to be told,” said Ellie Grossman, co-producer/director.
“Our casts have featured best selling authors and professional actors, but mostly, everyday people with real stories, that’s what makes up the heart of Listen To Your Mother,” said co-producer/director Naomi Francis.
“Listen To Your Mother has become a Mother’s Day tradition in The Lou,” added Laura Edwards Ray, co-producer/director. “Our stories make a real connection to the audience and creates a magical experience you don’t want to miss!”
A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Missouri Eating Disorders Association (MOEDA), http://moeatingdisorders.org, the only organization in Missouri to provide critical and targeted information though curriculums designed to address this serious and deadly health epidemic.
Listen To Your Mother aims to support motherhood creatively through artistic expression, and also financially–through contributions to local non-profit organizations supporting families in need. Collectively, Listen To Your Mother shows have raised more than $100,000 for local nonprofits, since the first show originated in Madison, Wisconsin in 2010.
For more information, visit www.listentoyourmothershow.com/stlouis.
314-560-6333
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The cast represents a widespread, diverse St. Louis community. (Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like names of the speakers who live in your demographic). Plus, our fabulous local sponsors include St. Luke’s Hospital, West NewsMagazine, Bronx Diba Fashion Shoe Outlet, Pirate Pictures, The Kranzberg Arts Center, The Elegant Child Learning Center, One Legacy, The Wolf Cafe, Photography By Layne, Girls Dreaming Big, Girls In The Know, Brain Dead & Cooking with Friends, Rise Collaborative Workspace, Vintage Vinyl, and I’ll Drink to That!
Photos, logos, and images are available upon request.
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