author: Lucille Blumberg
“Man plans, God laughs.” It’s a sentiment that lingers long after the final blackout of Colonial Players’ Bump, a heartfelt, sharply insightful, and quietly profound exploration of childbirth across centuries and circumstances. Bump isn’t just about pregnancy—it’s about the plans people make, the expectations they cling to, and the unpredictable, beautiful, chaotic truth of how life enters the world anyway. Audiences left the theater reminded of how universal and individual this experience is—and how stories, when told with such honesty and imagination, can bring everyone a little closer.
Director Shannon Benil makes a powerful debut with her first full-length regular season show at Colonial Players, guiding the ensemble with confidence and care. The production benefits from tight collaboration across the creative team. Laura Gayvert’s support as assistant director and Kathy Parrot’s smooth stage management made for a seamless evening—each scene and costume change was clean and efficient, and props appeared and disappeared with purpose.
The seating in the round added a rare level of intimacy between audience and story. There were no sightline issues, even with the layered blocking and complex set changes. In fact, during scenes with Claudia, Maria, and Luis, it often felt like the audience was truly sitting in their living room, part of their family, living through these life-altering moments right alongside them.
Lighting and sound design were pivotal to the storytelling. Eric Hufford’s lighting transported the audience between centuries and emotional states, from the soft amber glow of a modern living room to the sterile, melatonin-zapping white-blue light of a YouTube video screen. Sara Wade’s sound design was equally deft—mimicking phones, message board alerts, and online scrolling in ways that elicited both laughter and tears. Her choice of pre-show music added a playful and clever touch, priming the audience for both the humor and heart that would follow. Throughout the show, the emotional depth of her song selections enriched key transitions, drawing audiences deeper into the characters’ inner lives. Together, sound and light allowed the audience to slip effortlessly between time periods, realities, and emotional spaces.
Chiara Atik’s script is clever, layered, and deeply empathetic. With themes like dreaming vs. inventing, expectation vs. reality, and the mechanical vs. the magical, the play captures both the messiness and miracle of childbirth. There’s a stunning balance of humor and heartbreak here—whether witnessing message board moms trade birth plans or a centuries-old midwife wrestle with fate.
The digital world is especially well represented. Through clever staging, costuming, and performance, the audience is drawn into forums, YouTube videos, and pregnancy message boards. These scenes were often the most unexpectedly emotional. They captured the loneliness and vulnerability of modern connection with honesty—how people reach out for support, share fears anonymously, and try to make sense of an overwhelming experience using whatever tools they have.
One of the show’s strengths is its use of parallel narratives and emotional dichotomies. Audiences see the contrast between experienced and first-time mothers, the rational and the instinctual, the personal and the universal. There’s even a beautiful role reversal, as Luis evolves from a passive, uninvolved character into someone active and impassioned.
The message that rings clearest is this: while every birth is different, the feelings around it—hope, fear, joy, pain, transformation—are deeply human. Bump reassures viewers that all birthing experiences are valid and that while each mother may feel like the first to go through it, they are never alone.
This ensemble was full of heart, each actor bringing nuance and specificity to their roles. Tom Byrne’s portrayal of the YouTube Guy was pitch-perfect, showcasing remarkable vocal control and comedic timing as he nailed the cadence and energy of online personalities. He paired brilliantly with Lena Hanrahan as Lemon, who mirrored his digital flair while grounding her character in authenticity.
Melanie Gordon (Grapefruit), Colleen Isaiah (Avocado), and Hui Zhu (Apple) brought humor and humanity, embodying message board posters with wit, warmth, and empathy. Their performances balanced laughter with sincerity, capturing the diversity of voices in digital communities.
Carrie Shade (Plum) and Amanda L Matousek (Walnut) brought a striking vulnerability to their roles, offering some of the show’s most poignant parts. Matousek’s monologue, shining as a moment of its own, stood out as a heart-wrenching testament to emotional honesty.
Mary MacLeod (Maria) and Vanessa Van Note (Claudia) formed the emotional heart of the play. Their performances conveyed the bond between an experienced mother and a determined first-timer with remarkable tenderness. Rick Estberg (Luis) guided his character from mechanical detachment to soulful investment, reflecting one of the show’s central themes: the movement from logic to love.
Julia Williams (Midwife) was a grounding force in the piece. Her physicality and pantomime were strikingly effective, evoking a centuries-old wisdom with every gesture. Her scenes with Gemma Davimes (Mary) highlighted the raw reality of historical childbirth, adding another layer of emotional weight to the production.
Even in stylized, abstract moments, the cast delivered grounded, specific performances. The message board posters, though appearing in brief, felt fully realized thanks to evident character work. The ensemble’s commitment to detail brought a rich depth to this already thoughtful production.
It’s hard to find fault in this production. Maybe one stumbled line or a brief prop hesitation—but those moments were fleeting in a show full of such detail, honesty, and care. Bump is a story about motherhood, yes—but also about connection, resilience, and the strange beauty of facing the unknown. It’s a reminder that birth—like life—doesn’t always go according to plan. But maybe, just maybe, that’s where the magic is.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this intimate and unforgettable journey.
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission
Bump plays through May 17th 2025 at The Colonial Players of Annapolis— 108 East Street in historic Annapolis, MD. For tickets call the box office at (410) 268-7373 or purchase them online.
