Theatre: The Baby Shower

By Topher Payne

These southern women do NOT want to bless your heart.

May 29-June 1 and June 5-7, 2025 Th-Sat shows at 7:30pm, Sun show at 4:00pm (May 29 = PREVIEW) $25/$20/$10

Here's the thing about baby showers: No one actually wants to be there. But there are certain rituals we follow, for the sake of tradition and a gift registry. Nine women have gathered at Grace Driscoll's beautifully appointed home, fully expecting to go through the motions of social niceties. But an unforeseen event in Grace's life, and a few unexpected guests, send the party careening into uncharted territory. Simmering resentment, cutthroat professional conflict, fierce battles of will... these are 21st century Southern women, and they have no interest in blessing your heart.

"Deft and bristling... Though the story starts off as a snarky romp in which characters toss off one-liners like candy wrappers, it's no pacifier. Payne is a formidable combination of acid and honey."

THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

"A vibrant chamber piece... grounded with moving revelations, trenchant self-discoveries, drunken miscommunications, and, above all, a veritable symphony of the sort of clever and lyrical dialogue at which Mr. Payne excels. Topher Payne has once again proven that he is a contemporary master of creating roles for women, especially roles for women "of an age" usually ignored by Hollywood (and young playwrights)."ATLANTA THEATRE BUZZ

"A new addition to all-female ensemble plays in the vein of The Women and Steel Magnolias. This is women behaving badly in the most delightful way, and they keep the laughs rolling from the first nervous breakdown to the last."