Trans-Parent Love
Written and performed by Maureen Muldoon
Directed by Megan Wells
The goal of Trans-Parent Love is to provide a safe place for people to discuss the questions, concerns, and commonalities they share about navigating change, gender, and transformation. The content of these conversations can be brave, beautiful, and baffling for parents and family members.
When a person identifies as transgender, they have had this internal conversation for quite some time. Like any change in plans, it can provoke anger, denial, bargaining, fear, concern, confusion, and depression for the extended family members. But with courage, it is all navigable and can ultimately lead to acceptance and PRIDE. These are not just the stages of grief, but evolution. There is no shame in navigating the landmine of change so that we can be healed and helpful advocates for our transgender family and community members.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing not just my son's transformation, but also that of other parents who are walking this interesting road with me. This second birth is an honor to witness, but it does not come without a few labor pains. It can be confusing and stressful, add to it the toxicity of our current climate, and we can begin to see why 52% of all transgender and nonbinary young people in the U.S. contemplate suicide.
Having someone to talk to and a family or community willing to make space for the conversation can help. In getting to perform this show, I have come to realize the full spectrum of the word “transparency” and the healing that it offers. As we begin to turn the lights on and entertain and welcome all aspects of ourselves and others, we will get to see some truly beautiful things.
Now available on Audible: LINK
Cover art: Rhine Schaub
Past PRODUCTIONS
Trans-Parent Love was first produced in October 2019 for an eight-week run at the Madison Street theater in Oak Park, IL.
On January 17th, it was an Official Selection for the White Fire Theatre Solo Fest in Los Angeles. And opened to a sold-out run. It went on to be selected for the Sarasolo-Fest in Florida, where it won.
BEST IN SHOW and Best Actress
The show has been performed in church communities, schools, and libraries from LA to NY and Chicago to Florida, including productions in…
Lansing, Michigan Unity Spiritual Center
Chicago Greenhouse Theatre
Madeline Island Library, WI
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, hosted by the local chapter of P-Flag.
Hinsdale Unitarian Church, Hinsdale, IL 60521.
St Louis, Centers for Spiritual Living
The Cooperage in Honesdale, PA
The Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613
Tusten Theater, Narrowsburg, NY
NEWS
Click here to listen to the Joyful Courage Podcast
REVIEWS
In less capable hands, this odyssey in staged spoken word could easily spell disaster. It could slide into cliché or become mired in sentimentality. Here it bristles with intellect, embraces the unknown, finds electric joy in humor, and trusts the future. It’s also like a fist sheathed in velvet pounding on iron, demanding action.
In these doubting, quivery times, when so many question whether their individual efforts bear any consequence, the power of one has the scent of a deceptive premise. How appropriate that, in this case, the reality of that power comes in the form of a mother. – Mitchell Oldham, City Pleasures
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Heartfelt, touching, and often hilarious, this monologue shifts back and forth in time yet remains fascinating and uplifting. Muldoon has an impressive range. She’s expressive, with a level of intimacy that makes you almost feel she’s talking directly to you. The seemingly effortless flow of dialogue that makes up this brave piece of dramatic work is an hour-long exploration of the outcomes when a child transitions to a different gender.
Muldoon, an inspirational speaker, storyteller, and Hollywood actress for several decades, has no difficulty connecting with the audience in this intimate performance space. Trans-Parent Love, a dynamic solo performance. It’s full of humor and warmth while showing the resilience and strength of the human spirit. – Doug Deuchler, OakPark.com
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Maureen Muldoon’s witty, upbeat one-woman show ‘Trans-Parent Love’ exhibits generous spirit, on-point insight, and even a few good laughs. – The Tolucan Times, California
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Trans-Parent Love succeeds at showing how parenting is also a process of sometimes-messy, but absolutely necessary, transformations for the future achieved through confronting the past. Maureen Muldoon is a captivating storyteller. – Kerry Reid, Windy City
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A beautiful exercise in bravery is being reenacted almost every weekend this month. In her “attempt to tell the truth about love”, Ms. Muldoon gave everyone present one giant gift. A gift that came with a directive: to use your voice. – Mitchell Oldham, City Pleasures
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
Maureen Muldoon belts out a story through her professional singing voice, her tongue twisting poetry rapidly and perfectly fired from her machine gun of a mouth. Her rubber-face-enhanced emotional flips go from giddy to the grave in mere hundredths of a second. – Paul Meyer
Maureen is a triple threat… an amazing playwright, a marvelous actress, an important new lyricist, storyteller, poet and she sings! The audience interrupted the piece with applause. The story took our breath away. – Raymond Wohl
This show is amazing. I’ve seen it twice, and I don’t see anything twice unless. And I’m actually going again. Wanna join me? – Jodi Murphy
Opening night – amazing One Woman Show! Go see Maureen Muldoon, master storyteller, she will have you laughing, crying, and smiling! So worth a short drive to Oak Park! Check it out! –Pam Bosse
Phenomenal! If you weren’t able to come to St. Louis, but have another chance to see Maureen’s one-woman show, don’t miss it!! I laughed, I cried, I felt love, and pain. All that from one woman on a stage by herself with two props. It was an experience I won’t forget.~ Barbara Goodman Siegel
Maureen is amazing for speaking the truth and creating the moment and the emotions so vividly that when her eyes tear up, you are right there with her… teary-eyed and in wonder of how a mother walks into that room… awesome and amazing performance! – Carol Gadbaw
The opening show tonight with Maureen Muldoon. Brilliant, vulnerable, raw, real, and funny. A must see! -Laura Savita Joachim
Very talented writer and performer who perfectly combines keen observations with honesty and wit. –Cindy Blank
What a powerful, thought-provoking, heart-tugging one-woman show written and performed by Maureen Muldoon. I attended the final performance of the run of “TransParent Love” at the Madison Street Theater. The icing on the cake was when her son came out at the end to sing and play an original song!- Kim Car Meredith
Rob and I saw Maureen Muldoon’s one-woman show this afternoon, and it was moving, inspiring, and thought-provoking. It touched our hearts as great art should. We highly recommend this show…. it’s not to be missed!
Don’t miss this show! Maureen’s talent, courage, humor, and wisdom will knock your socks off! So happy to share this brilliant experience with my daughters. Go see it, everyone! –Elizabeth Keats
This is a part of the coming out process that we don’t hear much about and yet is just as much a part of the experience. Maureen Muldoon presents her story in the context of all life stories: positioned between the generation that preceded her and the one that will follow – and how intertwined they are – echoing and influencing each other in ways that cannot always be predicted or controlled. I so deeply appreciated her willingness to be this honest- an inspiration and affirmation that change can and often only happens through courageous humility and vulnerability. GIANT LOVE SONG is amazing! Go see it while you can! -Rachel Anna
What a beautiful performance! –Editha Paras
Bravo brave one. Keep leading the way with love and tolerance. –Maureen Anne Claffy
Incredible play and performance. Unforgettable. Thank you, Maureen Muldoon, for your courage, vulnerability and giant heart!- Jennie Landfield