MAYA’S MOTHER
Music by Josh Ben-Ami
Book & Lyrics by James Martinez Salem
Working mom Paige and her sixteen-year-old adopted daughter, Maya, are about to meet Maya’s biological mother, who happens to be pop star Wendy Max, for the first time. When Wendy offers Maya a trip around the world and away from Paige, Maya has a choice to make.
Featuring a score with pop-punk, radio pop, and musical theatre sounds, this 20-minute piece has a heartwarming message about the meaning of family.
Production History
Maya’s Mother was conceived and developed by James and Josh as part of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU Tisch. The writers worked under the guidance of writer Joel Derfner.
The show’s first reading was held in May 2019, featuring Lisa Helmi Johanson as Maya, Charissa Bertels as Wendy, and Patty Nieman as Paige. The reading was directed by Walker Lewis, and musical directed by Henco Espag.
The full show was featured on theatre podcast The Latest Draft in August 14th, 2020, with Nicole Tsarouhas as Maya, Katherine D’Souza as Wendy, and Elspeth Collard as Paige. Additional accompaniment was added by Josh Ben-Ami and Elspeth Collard. Listen to it HERE.
