Broadway actresses and performers Laura Bell Bundy, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Kerry Butler star in the new Off-Broadway show “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!”
This musical is being performed at New World Stages in New York City. Marissa Jaret Winokur is a Tony Award winner, while Laura Bell Bundy and Kerry Butler are both Tony-nominated performers.
These ladies wrote and directed this musical themselves, and Andrew Byrne serves as their musical director and their pianist. Jo Huling plays the drums and Skylar Volpe is the bassist.
Laura Bell Bundy, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Kerry Butler created the roles of Amber Von Tussle, Tracy Turnblad, and Penny Pingleton (respectively) in “Hairspray,” which was the winner of the 2003 Tony Award for “Best Musical.”
Ever since, all three women have become fixtures of the stage and screen, starring in such titles as “Beetlejuice,” “Mean Girls,” and “Legally Blonde,” among others. In this vivacious musical, the trio cover songs from “Hairspray” along with new mashups, medleys, and parodies, all of which are real treats.
They kicked off their set with “Mama I’m a Big Girl Now” from “Hairspray” and immediately broke into a lengthy but memorable “Kid Medley,” which showcased their incredible vocal ranges. They also serenaded the audience to “Some People” from the musical “Gypsy” and “Tell Me More” from “Grease.”
During the mashup of “Ruthless” and Britney Spears’ “Oops! I Did It Again,” Laura Bell Bundy did some fact-checking on an excerpt from Britney Spears’ memoir “The Woman in Me,” where Spears discussed being Laura Bell Bundy’s understudy for “Ruthless.”
It was neat to hear and watch Bundy’s clever response (to Spears’ written statements), and Bundy delivered her own distinct and crisp versions of those tunes, which resonated well with the audience.
Kerry Butler did a remarkable “Disney” medley, where the viewer could recall Kristen Bells meets the tranquility of Alison Krauss, and the bubbly personality of Emmy and Tony winner Sainty Nelsen (“Gabby’s Dollhouse”).
The ladies did a stunning and witty duet of “Popular” from “Wicked” and immediately broke into “Good Morning Baltimore,” where Marissa Jaret Winokur displayed her trademark pipes.
They segued into “Somewhere That’s Green” from “Little Shop of Horrors,” which was quite enchanting, and “I Can Hear the Bells” yet again from “Hairspray.”
Laura Bell Bundy nailed her “Legally Blonde” medley, where she brought out her inner Elle Woods to the point where Reese Witherspoon herself would be very proud.
One of the most heartfelt portions of the show was when they opened up about being mothers and shared their parenting experiences.
They went on to perform such bedtime favorites as “Baby Mine” from “Dumbo” (performed by Kerry Butler) and “You Are My Sunshine” (by Laura Bell Bundy), which were soothing lullabies, and “Baby Face” was sung hilariously by Marissa Jaret Winokur.
It was followed by a noteworthy “Mom Medley” and an equally impressive rendition of “Old Friends” from “Merry We Roll Along.”
After a harking version of “For Good” from “Wicked,” the ladies closed on a fitting note with the upbeat and spitfire “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from “Hairspray,” where they were able to get the audience on their feet.
The Verdict
Overall, “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!” starring Laura Bell Bundy, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Kerry Butler is an entertaining, honest, and irresistible new Off-Broadway show.
It is a celebration of two decades of Broadway hits, lifelong friendships, and being mothers. It ought to be enjoyed for its beauty and authenticity; moreover, it is the feel-good musical that you didn’t know you needed.
It is sassy, enthralling, and a great deal of fun. “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!” garners an A rating.
To learn more about the “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!” musical, check out its official homepage.
