Seasons the Musical had a huge impact at this year’s Orlando Fringe Festival. It won multiple awards and it returned to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater for two performances on September 27th and 28th. The book, lyrics and music were written by Katie Hammond and Elaine Pechacek. Elaine accompanied all the musical numbers by performing on piano. The play mostly follows two relationships, the strong bond between Mrs. Jones (Beki Herrbach), and her daughter Hope (Kathryn Fabbroni) and then the unplanned coupling of Helen (Renee Morico) and Peter (Erin Robere).
All of the characters lives change because of unexpected moments. Helen has a few too many drinks at a high school party and decides to sleep with Peter if he plays his cards right. That night resulted in her pregnancy. When Peter finds out he proposes marriage. Hope has also been proposed to, and she dreams of her future of happiness. At the same time, her mother has been diagnosed with cancer. The two stories unfold, each with their uncertainties and anguish.
The music propels the story forward with 23 numbers in the show. Sadness is offset by humor and laughter offset by pain. Helen isn’t sure she loves Peter, but she hopes in time that she will. When their child arrives, she finds a focus for pure unquestioned love. Hope’s mother collapses during the wedding and then Hope remains by her mother’s side in the hospital. When Hope sang of her selfish need for her mother’s love, and how she wasn’t ready to let go, I welled up. Mrs. Jones sings an incredible song to her daughter when she realizes she hasn’t much time left. She wants Hope to know she will always be loved and she tells he to never take a single moment for granted.
Not every story has a happy ending. Life is short and bitter sweet. But all of the characters made the choice to love and be loved and that makes all of life’s difficulties worth living. The show ends with a lullaby that lingers long after the show is over. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Mark Your Calendars! Seasons will be returning October 17th and 18th at the Moonlight Players Theatre (735 W Minneola Ave Clermont FL) at 8pm.