In “Step Mama Drama,” Allison Hetzel shares stories about step‑motherhood, and the strange comments she’s had to endure over the years. Many looked down on her decision to marry a man who already had kids of his own. They told Ms. Hetzel that the kids would never truly be hers, that their birth mother would cause problems, and that she ought to be having kids of her own. Despite the cloud of negativity, Ms. Hetzel comes out on top, and shares the love she feels for her son and daughter. It took strength and confidence to hear disapproving remarks but remain proud of the decision she’s made. She talks about her children’s chosen colleges, one child’s love of sports, the awkward teenage phases, and other things every parent goes through. That is her point: she is just like every other parent raising and loving two children. Ms. Hetzel talks about her first Mother’s Day, on which she didn’t receive any gifts. Her husband “meant to do something but never got around to it.” She reads a list of tips about being a stepmother; one is that asking for things you want doesn’t diminish their meaning. Now that I know more about the unique challenges stepparents face, I look at them with greater admiration. Ms. Hetzel‘s performance was filled with passion, energy, and love. I would recommend this show to everyone!
“Step Mama Drama” Written and performed by: Allison Hetzel November 3, 6:00pm Photo: courtesy of the production 2019 United Solo Theater Festival Theater Row 410 West 42nd Street New York City
DANIELLE CREAN is an aspiring writer and editor living in Brooklyn, New York. She is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a degree in Communication Arts and Journalism. During her college career she was a writer and editor-in-chief for the Odyssey Online. She is also currently writing a novel based on her own personal experiences with mental health.