A powerful new play exploring one of the most complex and increasingly common family dynamics in modern society will receive an industry presentation this June in New York City. Producer Debra Olshan-Cooper has announced an industry reading of America’s Mom, a new work by acclaimed playwright Joe Calarco, directed by Hannah Ryan and featuring a notable cast led by Laila Robins, Abbey Lee, and Maria Habeeb.
Scheduled for June 24 at Open Jar Studios, America’s Mom tackles the growing issue of family estrangement through a deeply personal and emotionally charged story. Blending humor, heartbreak, and honesty, the play examines what happens when a mother and daughter are forced to confront years of unresolved pain and conflicting memories.
The story centers on Valerie Simmons, a beloved sitcom star preparing for her long-awaited Broadway debut. Despite years of fame and success, Valerie’s personal life remains fractured. Following a performance one stormy evening, her estranged daughter Stevie unexpectedly appears at her dressing room door after five years of no contact. Trapped together by severe weather, the two women are compelled to revisit the events that drove them apart and wrestle with the emotional wounds that continue to shape their lives.
Veteran stage and screen actress Laila Robins stars as Valerie, while actress and model Abbey Lee portrays Stevie. Maria Habeeb rounds out the cast as Marta. Stage directions will be read by Kelly Pekar, with Kelly Martindale serving as stage manager.
Producer Debra Olshan-Cooper, who commissioned the play and is making her producing debut with the project, says the work shines a spotlight on what she describes as a “silent epidemic” affecting millions of families. Through its intimate storytelling, America’s Mom seeks to give voice to those navigating estrangement while exploring the possibility of understanding, reconciliation, and healing.
The production also marks the latest work from playwright Joe Calarco, whose acclaimed credits include Shakespeare’s R&J, Walter Cronkite Is Dead, and numerous plays for young audiences. Director Hannah Ryan brings extensive Broadway and regional theater experience, with credits that include Hamilton, An American in Paris, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Running approximately 90 minutes, America’s Mom offers a timely and thought-provoking examination of family relationships, identity, and the emotional distance that can exist even between those who love one another most.