Art imitates life for Glen Ellyn actress in 'Motherhood the Musical'
Not many actresses would describe an audition as an amazing experience.
But that's how Jennifer Chada of Glen Ellyn described her audition for “Motherhood the Musical,” running at Chicago's Royal George Theatre.
“They (the producers) were so warm, wanting to get to know us,” she said of the producers. They “thanked me in an email. In my industry that's normally not the case.”
Given the auspicious beginning, it's no surprise Chada has high praise for author/songwriter Susan Fabisch's celebration of motherhood in all its forms. The story unfolds during a surprise baby shower for a first-time mother Amy (Madeline Duffy-Feins) thrown for her by stay-at-home mom Barb (Chada), working mom Brooke (Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck) and single mom Tasha (Melody Betts).
“This show has so much heart. It has been a dream job,” said Chada.
“I'd be happy sitting with this for a long time,” she said, referring to such long running shows as “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Apollo Theater and “The Doyle and Debbie Show” which concludes its eight-month run at the Royal George this month.
Life has prepared her for her role in “Motherhood the Musical,” said Chada, who drew partly on the experiences of her mother who had “six children under age 6 in the 1960s when there were no resources for moms like there are today.”
As one of nine siblings, Chada did her share of child rearing.
“I raised Billy, Kenny, Bobby and Melissa,” she joked, referencing the role older siblings typically play in a large family.
But the Northern Illinois University graduate who married her college sweetheart and pursued her acting career never considered having children.
Until she did.
“Now I can't imagine a day without her,” said Chada of her 14-year-old daughter, whose birth also impacted Chada's bond with her late mother.
Chada, who described her younger self as “pretty rebellious,” said her relationship with her mom had been “strained” up until that point.
“When I had my daughter and had the baby blues afterward, all I wanted was to see my mom,” Chada said.
“I said, ‘I'm really sorry. This mom thing is hard.' She said, ‘I knew you'd come around.'”
Her experiences have informed her performance as a soccer mom in “Motherhood,” one of three fortysomething women who try to prepare their twentysomething friend for her new role.
Like “Motherhood's” first-time, expectant mom Amy, Chada said she thought everything would be perfect and that she would be the perfect mom. Real life debunked those myths pretty quickly. This musical does the same thing, said Chada. It encourages women not to be so hard on themselves when things aren't perfect, and to let go of the guilt that comes from trying to balance family and work.
This working mom, who has a dual career as a cabaret artist and has two jazz albums to her credit, understands well the struggle.
Her own acting career has included performances locally with Light Opera Works and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble in Glen Ellyn, and national credits including “Scrooge” with Richard Chamberlain and “Like Jazz,” a salute to musicians by Cy Coleman and Alan & Marilyn Bergman in Los Angeles
“I felt guilty when I worked,” said Chada. “We all have feelings of guilt.”
It's a constant juggle, she says, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
“I feel very blessed and very rich.” she said.
“Motherhood the Musical”
<b>Location:</b> Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago, (800) 982-2787 or <a href="http://theroyalgeorgetheatre.com">theroyalgeorgetheatre.com</a>
<b>Showtimes: </b>7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday through June 17. Moms attending the Mother's Day performances on May 13 receive complimentary Dunkin' Donuts and a $10 gift certificate to Standard Market, a specialty food store in Westmont
<b>Tickets:</b> $48-$65
<b>Parking: </b>Adjacent paid garage