Show, first performed in 2013, graces the stage again this weekend in Jacksonville
By Maryjane Bradbury
“Memories of Mama … Thinking of Dad,” is a play by Ken Bradbury that originally opened in May of 2013 at the Playhouse on the Square in Jacksonville. It then traveled to Petersburg and back to Jacksonville again in 2016. Now, it will be performed again in Jacksonville this weekend: July 25-27.
However, the story first began in 2012 when Bradbury had the idea of writing a one-act show featuring five women who would share stories of their mothers — and those stories ranged from hilarious to heartache to hero. Bradbury invited a few friends to hear the first read-through of the play — a test audience. The audience enjoyed the play and Bradbury received compliments and encouragement — and one complaint. That audience member asked Bradbury why he didn’t write about fathers and sons … so, Bradbury wrote another act.
When a longtime friend of the Bradbury family read the script, that friend quickly recognized several characteristics of the moms and dads as remarkably similar to a few of Bradbury’s family members. I’ve always heard that one should write what they know, and it appears Bradbury may have done just that in this beautiful play.
“I know that there are more than five types of fatherhood and motherhood,” said Bradbury when the show premiered, “but I’m sure that everyone in the audience will recognize bits of their own upbringing.”
The cast for this production includes Drew Snodgrass, Mike Schneider, Audra Nelson, Lynne Sheaff, Scott Stanberry and Keith Bradbury, all of Jacksonville; Jim and Brenda Yale, of Petersburg; Linda Schneider, of Springfield; and Cathy Doyle, of Rushville. Stephanie Soltermann, of Jacksonville, is the music director and accompanist.
Cathy Doyle, Linda Schneider, Jim and Brenda Yale, and Stephanie Soltermann are returning to reprise their roles in the show. “It is an honor to be in any Ken Bradbury production. ‘Memories of Mama …’ really touches home for me as I watch my own mama gracefully age,” says Doyle.
Snodgrass and Stanberry were Bradbury’s students and performed in the Triopia High School shows in the 1990s. Snodgrass shares, “On my first day of kindergarten, Ken stood outside the school door as nervous 5-year-olds shuffled in saying, ‘Welcome to Walmart, there’s a sale on underpants in aisle 6.’ I couldn’t imagine anything funnier. My earliest memory of theater was around that same time, watching in wonder as high schooler Scott Stanberry graced the Triopia stage in ‘Christopher.’ And I’ll never forget sharing the stage with Ken and Keith in ‘Man of La Mancha.’ It’s a joy and a privilege to join this awesome cast and bring some of Ken’s words back to life.”
Ken Bradbury said, “Whether our parents are still living or not, they remain part of us.”
The show will be performed at Grace United Methodist Church, 400 West Morgan in Jacksonville, on Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m.
Admission is $15 and payable at the door by cash or check. The doors open one hour before the performance, and seating is general admission.
All proceeds benefit the Ken Bradbury Foundation, which supports local youth theater and music programs.
