Forgive the regional focus today, but I want to spread the word to the locals about a new work by fellow Maine writer-mama Nicole Chaison. The Passion of the Hausfrau - a solo comedy adapted from Hausfrau mutha-zine is on stage now at Portland Stage Company.
I saw a performance this weekend and was blown away by the dynamic energy of the actress (Bess Welden), and how perfectly the familiar tales (some from the pages of Hausfrau) adapted to the stage. It so brilliantly illustrates both the craziness and the amazing-ness of the roller coaster ride of parenting. Not to mention the discovery and pursuit of one's own creative passions while being a Mama. It's good stuff. Really good, inspiring, funny stuff. My cheeks still hurt from laughing...and okay, my eyes were welling up a few times too. In Nicole's own words:
"There is a hausfrau amnesia - some magical mind-eraser that blots out the struggles we experience on a daily basis. I believe it's the only way we can get out of bed in the morning and do it all over again. It is also why our species survives. But those struggles are precisely what we need to keep in mind, because our voices are lost when we don't tell the stories that make up our days. Hausfrau is about these stories."
Be sure to check it out if you can! The show runs through April 11th, check out the website for tickets and more info.
And wherever you live...check out Hausfrau - the zine (along with her awesome description of what that word "Hausfrau" means to her here), and keep your eye out for Nicole Chaison's forthcoming book, The Passion of The Hausfrau. I can't wait to read it!
Enjoy what's left of your weekend, friends!
