BWW Interviews: Women's Work 2011 - Melissa Bedinger Hade of MOTHERLAND

Tennessee Women's Theater Project returns to Nashville's Z. Alexander Looby Theater for the fifth year running - beginning Friday May 6 - for its annual Women's Work festival of performing and visual arts created by women. Running through Sunday, May 22, the festival cuts a broad swath across styles and genres to offer eleven completely different programs: poetry and essays; one-woman shows; staged readings of new plays; film, dance, music and a display of visual art works in the theater lobby. On Saturday night, May 7, audiences will be treated to Motherland, a new play by two-time First Night Award winner Melissa Bedinger Hade (who also directs), starring Linda Speir, Amanda Bailey, Michael Roark and Phil Perry.

Tell me about your the show - what should audiences expect?

Motherland is the story of the relationship between mothers and daughters. It is about the lessons learned from the most difficult relationship in a woman's life. Somewhat autobiographical, the play is kind of an episodic memory play. Covering early childhood, but mostly, it covers the daughter's teenage years until she is in her 30s. How the two women come to terms with each other as individuals. While it focuses on the women, it also paints a picture of family. While the family isn't perfect, they always found ways to laugh. The play uses humor to examine irony.

How does this show reflect who you are as a woman?

The show reflects who I am as a woman because is it so intensely personal. When I sat down to write it, the words simply flowed out of me from my past. It provided me an objective view of my mother and helped me find empathy with her and for her. It was written in the '90s, before I became a mother. In some ways it is a period play. I'm not sure I'm ready for the 1990s to be considered period, but it is. I wrote the play while my mother was living, and behind it is a constant hopeful pursuit of an ideal relationship with her. My mother passed last November, and I must admit, that now it does seem a bit romanticized. When I finally sit down to write the companion piece, Fatherland, the play with be grounded in a grittier perspective. The second play will bring all the lessons learned into sharper perspective.

What about this show speaks most eloquently to the audience?

I believe what is eloquent about Motherland, is it's honesty. I pull no punches in the difficult scenes, and allow the relationship to be explored warts and all. I have heard both men and women say they relate to the play.

Why should people come see Motherland?

I think it's a journey that folks will enjoy taking with us. Folks will really enjoy the brilliant work of the actors: Linda Speir, Amanda Bailey, Michael Roark and Phil Perry.

How does this play represent your personal point of view?

Because we learn from them, the most difficult relationships in our lives are many times the most valuable.

- Saturday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.: New Plays: Motherland by Melissa Bedinger Hade; and Ismene's Press Conference by Judy Klass. Single tickets to Woman's Work are $5 each; a $30 Festival Pass is good for unlimited admissions. Women's Work opens Friday, May 6, at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre, adjacent to the Looby Branch Library, 2301 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. The festival continues for eleven performances through Sunday, May 22. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2:30 pm Sundays. For reservations and information, call (615) 681-7220, or visit the company's web site at www.twtp.org.