Susan Granger’s review of “That Parenting Musical” (Off-Broadway)
“While in the trenches of parenting two young kiddos, we learned very quickly that our experiences – as ridiculous, hilarious, heartwarming and gross as they could be – were shared by so many others out there as to be near-universal,” say Graham and Kristina Fuller, creators of “That Parenting Musical” on 42nd Street’s Theatre Row in Theatre 3.
“Those parents were longing for a night out, particularly a comedic experience shared by other parents experiencing a similar life stage,” they go on. “It was out of this inspiration and relatability that ‘That Parenting Musical’ was born.”
The set (designed by Tim Mackabee) depicts a cozy nursery, adorned with preschooler’s larger-than-life stick drawings. There are shelves filled with books and toys, many of which become props as the congenial show commences.
Cleverly utilizing a cast of six, there’s no formal plot, per se, as this cheerful yet somewhat sophomoric celebration/lamentation of motherhood and fatherhood unfolds under the aegis of director/choreographer Jen Wineman.
Basically, two sleep-deprived parents are attempting to navigate living – in a constant state of exhaustion – with a newborn and a toddler. Max Crumm stars as Child #1 with Vidushi Goyal as Child #2. McKenna Ogrodnik is Mom; Dwayne Washington is Dad – with Natalie Bourgeois as a sarcastic Single Friend and Brian Owen as Narrator/boyfriend Todd.
As the vignettes unfold – from the first ‘discovery’ of pregnancy to doctor’s visits to labor and childbirth- it’s obviously predictable what with yoga pants dominating Mom’s wardrobe, along with Dad’s cargo shorts.
Memorable musical numbers in what becomes a song cycle include “Toddler Travel Travesty,” “The Most Dangerous Things in the Room,” “Glide,” “Behind,” “Second Child Blues,” and “A Little Bit of Space,” rockin’ with authenticity under the direction of Dan Graeber, who also did the orchestrations.
Kudos to costume designer Tina McCartney, lighting supervisor Alan C. Edwards, sound by Jessica Paz and props from Brendan McCann.
Previously titled “The Trenches,” this revue was developed in 2019 at Louiseville Colorado’s CenterStage Theater Company and Denver, Colorado’s Elaine Wolfe Theatre. It’s aimed at a very specific audience which will inevitably limit the length of its run.
For ticket information, go to ThatParentingMusical.com.