Becoming a Broadway Baby Mama
Mo Brady
by Cara Cooper

Cara Cooper and daughter, Elin and son, Finn
Several years back, while we were in Jersey Boys, Jessica Rush and I had a life-altering experience…. We became mothers. Every day in that dressing room, we would share the joyous and not so joyous moments that now filled our every waking moment. While we knew that motherhood is a different journey for everyone, we quickly realized how similar and specific our experience was, trying to navigate a career in the theater while nurturing these tiny humans we created. That’s when we gave birth to the Broadway Baby Mamas, for all of the women, who like us, were entering this new phase of life while trying to maintain their theater careers and a sense of who they used to be before they became mothers. Our goal was simple, a safe space for the support and celebration of motherhood in the Broadway community.
What started small has now grown to almost 200 members whose unwavering support of one another is astonishing. These women lift each other up every day, from simple things like recommending baby products to the complicated struggles of post partum depression. When a mama is in need, you should see how many women jump to her aid, with love, support, humor and understanding. It has been a joy to bear witness to this kind of humanity, especially during such a dark time in our country. These women have given us hope, honestly, that good will always prevail. Annie Oakley said it best, “there’s no people like show people."
On March 15, at 54 Below, many of the Broadway Baby Mamas will join together to use their talents for good, as we produce our first concert benefitting Planned Parenthood. We are hopeful that this is just the first of many events that allow us to give back to our community, our nation and our world. Please join us if you can. Not only will you be championing the incredible women who have found a way to rock motherhood and 8 shows a week, but you will be supporting so many women in our country who need us so desperately right now.

Jessica Rush and her family, Eric Anderson and Elliott