Theater Review

Tom Titus

Motherhood occurs in many varieties and under myriad circumstances,

three of which are alternately examined in Kathleen Tolan’s seriocomic

study “Approximating Mother,” the current production at Orange Coast

College.

This extended one-act (only 75 minutes without intermission) focuses

on women who are either a) married and having a second baby, b) single

and yearning for one or c) young, unmarried and “in trouble.”

The three women involved are the focus of the play, but there are a

half-dozen supporting characters and another seven “atmospheric” actors

who drift in and out of the scenes functioning solely as background

pieces. Their presence is, at first, confusing, but they become an

integral part of the action simply by filling in the gaps.

Of the three main characters, two are best friends, New Yorkers Fran

(Katie Hall) and Molly (Katy Woodruff). Fran is an unattached woman

pushing 30 whose biological alarm clock is going off. Molly is married

and expecting her second child.

The third is Jen (Jessica Martinez), a high school girl in Indiana

who’s made a mistake and seeks to rectify it by putting her baby up for

adoption.

We follow Molly through her delivery process, cringing as actress

Woodruff emits bone-chilling cries of agony, which must make young women

in the audience wonder if childbirth is really worth the pain and

discomfort.

It doesn’t faze Fran, however, as she renews her determination to

obtain an infant either by nature’s way or via underground commerce.

She chooses the latter, which puts her in indirect contact with Jen, a

teenager of limited means who has no room for a little one in her life.

Martinez’ eloquent self-examination and her inner conflict with Jen’s

predicament are beautifully interpreted.

Handling the transaction on either end are Chris Julian as a smooth

operator with a financial agenda and Anne Gray as a go-between whose

heart is more in tune with her client’s. The lone segment of conflict

blossoms when the two mothers meet briefly after the birth, painting

Julian’s character as a chilly mercenary.

Others involved in the birthing process are Jack (Josh Cash), Molly’s

rather awkward husband; Ellie (Yvette Ferrara), a hospital nurse; Brena

(Nicola Ambrozich), Jen’s best friend and more of a caricature of modern

youth than a genuine character, and Eugene (Craig Veytia), Jen’s stolid,

caring father.

Director Ferzacca weaves these actors and the seven background people

in and out of the picture on David Scaglione’s intricately designed

setting like a passing parade of ordinary people, the sort you’d

encounter in a real-life situation. Without these supernumeraries, the

play could become a rather barren exercise.

“Approximating Mother” will ring true to those who’ve been there while

still entertaining those who haven’t. It’s an intriguing look at the ins

and outs of maternity.

* TOM TITUS writes about and reviews local theater for the Daily

Pilot. His stories appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “Approximating Mother”

WHERE: Drama Lab Theater, Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Closing performances 8 p.m. tonight, 2 p.m. Sunday

COST: $8 or $10PHONE: (714) 432-5880