“Baby,” the popular Broadway musical currently playing at Theater Palisades, is the story of three couples and how they deal with impending parenthood. Two of the couples are surprised to find themselves inconveniently expecting-one, unmarried college juniors in their early 20s, the other, parents of three grown daughters and now “empty nesters.” The third couple desperately wants a child but is having trouble conceiving.
While not the most obvious subject for a musical, the show does an excellent job of weaving together each couples’ story in a sensitive, life-affirming manner as it explores how the prospect of becoming (or not becoming) a parent impacts their relationships and their lives.
The cast does a fine job with some very delightful songs (alternately chipper and poignant). And, while clever staging designed to highlight the intimacy of the character’s relationships and situation does not allow for major production numbers, it does provide for some very well performed and energetic dance sequences.
The play, written by Broadway pros David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr., features the talents of Joshua Brandenberg, Amy Coles, Wendy Douglas, Larry Gesling, Austen Rey and Cynthia Rothschild supported by an ensemble of talented performers including Malibu’s own Whitney Androlia in her professional debut.
“Baby” will run through July 31, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at Theater Palisades, 941 Temescal Canyon Road (at Haverford Avenue), Pacific Palisades. Information and reservations can be obtained by calling 310.454.1970.