Story of Mother's Day, The (2021)

[bunniefuu]

[slow music plays]

[gasps]

- Good to see you again, Mr. Thomas.

- You scared me to death.

- I didn't mean to startle you.

They told me I could store
a few things out here.

- Yeah.

Yeah, I guess I'd be okay.

Considering everything else
has been stored out here.

[slow music plays]

[wind blows]

[students chatter]

- With us?

Eew, today?

- Wattup bruh.

- Wattup.

- Did you see the ending to the premier?

[background noise drowns other sounds]

- All right, ladies and
gentlemen, I know it's been awhile

but that was the bell.

So let's get going.

Well, welcome back.

[students cheer]
- Yeah.

- It's been what?


seen each other in person?

But the pandemic is slowing
down, we're back to school.

We've only missed a couple
of months this semester,

but we're back and good to
see your guys' smiling faces.

In fact, I see a couple
of new faces in the crowd.

We have Olivia and her brother Maddox.

They're from West Virginia.

Let's welcome them to our drama class.

[students clap]

Oh, that was great guys.

Maddox, are you okay, buddy?

- He's fine.

- Okay.

All right.

Well, so the good news is
we still have a drama class.

[student's cheer]

- Hey yoh, Mr. T, are
we going to be able--

- I already know what
you're going to ask me.

And the answer is yes, I believe so.

Now, according to the
governor, and as of right now,

we will be able to put
on a play this spring.

[students cheer]

But, but, but, but, we
still got a few things

we got to worry about.

First and foremost, we had
to find out how much money

is in the school budget for
the theater class this year.

Then we've got a few other
administrative things

that have to be taken care of.

But those are for me to
worry about not you guys.

All right?

The big thing we have to take
care of is this mess up here.

Like they've been using the area

for storage since we went out of school.

So it is an absolute mess.

And we're going to have to get that clean

before we can do anything.

And we've got what?



So if we're going to put together a play,

we got to get working on it.

But I'm not going to decide the
play for you guys this year.

It's going to be up to you.

All right.

Well, I see a few excited faces and a few

not so excited faces, but
hey guys, that's creativity.

So I want you guys to be thinking

about what you're going to do.

Talk amongst yourselves while
you're cleaning the stage.

[students sigh]
[ukulele plays]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I know.

Come on everybody.

We got to get cleaning.

Grab a broom, grab a brush,
grab a towel, grab a flan.

[upbeat music plays]

- What if we did Oklahoma?

- We already did that
though, thus the hat.

- Well, that's why it's perfect.

We already have everything.

- It still seems a little much.

- What do you think?

- I like it.

[laughs]

- We could make our
own original Star Wars.

First, we start with a
black backdrop as space,

then poke holes in it for stars.

And then we raid the junkyard

and make a bunch of robot costumes.

It could be the day
after Obi wan Kenobi dies

but before he comes alive and
all those visions, you know.

So it'll be the day after the, the, the...

You know, whatever.

It'll be cool.

We'll have the cool
laser swords, we'll be...

Make all the newbies
all the aliens we k*ll.

- Laser swords?

- We could really pull this off guys.

- Light slavers.

- What if we just pull a random
script and keep it simple?

Like a two act play.

- That's boring.

- You heard them.

We get to choose.

Why not make it something crazy?

You know, something original?

- Something happy?

- Mama Mia makes me happy.

♪ Mama Mia ♪

♪ Here I go again ♪

- Mama Mia is not an original.

- We need something
with a positive message.

- Mary Poppins.

♪ supercalifragilistic XVI ♪

- Mary Poppins is not an original.

- Guys, think about this past year.

I mean, we need something with meaning

Something that will make a difference.

[soft music plays]

- Hey guys, what if we do
a play about the Shining?

It's got different
kinds of axes and blood.

- I think, we should do One Fish Two Fish.

Fish Nutry and Maddie
should be the Fish Nutry.

- Okay.

Be serious.

- Yoh.

Ratatouille.

[laughs]
- Ratatouille.

Guys, look at all these curls.

- [Boy] I know, right?

- Better.

- Leave him alone.

- [Boy] Wow.

- [Boy] Does she just fight your fights?

- [Boy] See you later rat boy.

[laughs]

- They're just some jerks.

[dramatic music plays]

- I totally understand.

[door knocks]

- Okay.

Yeah,

I'll I'll, I'll call you back then.

Thank you.

What can do you for?

- Sorry to bother you.

Do you have just a minute?

- No, I never have a minute,
but for you I'll make it.

What can I do?

- Well, I just wanted to talk with you

since the governor has released a lot

of the COVID restrictions,

wanting to see what we might
be able to do for the budget

for this year's play.

The kids are super...

- Let me cut you off right there.

I don't want to be harsh about this,

but there's no possible way right now

that we can afford to do that.

- But the restrictions have been lifted...

- No, I know the governor has re...

That doesn't change the fact
that we've had to make cuts

across every single
department, not just the arts.

- What am I supposed to tell the kids?

- No, don't tell them anything right now.

I will do my very best to try to come up

with some extra money, but
I wouldn't keep my hopes up

if I were you.

- Okay.

Fair enough.

Thanks Robert.

- Becky, can you give
me Dr. Anderson, please?

- Hey.

- Hey.

- So welcome to Henderson.

- Thanks.

- Maybe I could share
around the town sometime?

- There's a town?

- Sure.

[cheeky music plays]

- So hun, tell me about your day today.

How did it go?

- It was fine.

I don't know.

- Oh yeah?

Well, you know, I love you

but I have to say with everybody
going back to school today

I had the best day.

I went and got coffee.

I get to go shopping.

Man, it was good.

Good day.

- Okay.

That's great.

We have to come up with our
own play and drama this year.

- Oh, is that right?

That sounds exciting.

Is it a drama?

Is it a comedy?

What's the deal with it?

- We don't know.

I mean, I suggest something heart felt,

because of COVID and everything,

but I'm pretty sure everybody
wants to do a comedy.

- Oh, can you not do both?

I think you can just do both.

I think that would be fine.

Do you have like a deadline
as to when it's due?

- No, he just said he
wanted it done in May.

- Okay.

You know what?

I got an idea.

How about if you did May...

Like a theme of May.

Something that happens in may.

- Like Easter?

- No, no, no.

It's not Easter.

Easter is in April.

Sometimes it's in March,
but usually April,

never May though.

- Okay.

- Okay.

So, you know, I just want
to tell you what happened.

It was the funniest thing.

So I go to the coffee shop today.

I'm getting out of the car

and you will not believe what happened.

[phone rings]

I was getting ready to...

- Hey, hang on?.

- Okay.

Well, I guess we're done talking.

[cheeky music plays]

- Yeah, dude.

I don't know what to
do because we signed up

to take Home-EC, but my mom
always looks at my schedule.

She's going to see that on there

and she's not going to let me keep it.

[bell rings]

- Good day

Step in, sir.

- Hoy, how you doing?

- Put it her, please.

- Thank you.

- Yeah, whatever.

Hey, did you happen to
write down the pages

we're supposed to read
tonight for history?

Just really quick, tell me.

Thanks.

[cheeky music plays]

- Pretty sweet house you got here

- Whatever.

- Have a good one.

- Hello.

And how are you doing today?

My name is Winston I'm with
ServPro it's my understanding

that...

- Thank you for coming.

Quincy can show you to the cellar.

Thank you.

- Okay.

- Right this way, sir.

- Yes, sir.

- Madison, can you come in here, please?

Madison, can you come in here?

Schedule.

Are these your assignments for tonight?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Home-EC?

- Home Economics.

It's an elective.

We get to pick one our senior year.

So--

- I thought theater was an elective.

- It is.

It's an arts elective.

This is just something--

- It's a waste.

Pencil, pencil.

I'm going to sign you up
for two semesters of Latin

and French.

That should get you to
the end of the year.

- But...

Why are you doing this?

- Honey, the economics of home is simple.

You hire people to do things
for you and the theater.

Well, the theater is dead.

- Mom, that's not fair.

- Oh, life's not fair.

That's all Quincy, you may go.

- Yes, madam.

[dramatic music plays]

[pencil rubs]

[car hoots]

[people chatter]

- Hey mom.

- Hey Carson.

Hey, how was it?

- It was the same.

- Did you have to wear a mask?

- No, some kids did though.

- Well, you should, you know.

My baby's growing up so fast.

He's going off to college soon.

I'm so proud of you.

[laughs]

Hey, I have to work a double tonight.

- No worries.

I'll just pick you up later.

- Okay.

Hey, hey, hey.

[kisses cheek]

[exhales loudly]

- Hey mom.

- Hey hun.

- I think I'll give you
guys some alone time.

- Thanks.

- Didn't Dana come with the kids?

- No, it's first day of school.

So back to home work for them.

- You're back to school too.

- Yeah, that's a good day.

I got good kids.

- Good, good.

- Mom, how are you feeling?

[throat clears]

- Son, I think you should know.

I'm ready.

- Oh mom, don't talk like that.

- What?

- You know what I don't like
when you talk like that.

- What?

I'm ready for my stories to start.

- Mom.

[laughs]

- What'd you think I meant?

- You know what I thought you meant?

- I got you.

- You're always the prankster.

[laughs]

- [Announcer] America's
favorite family announcements.

- It's not working.

- Well, that's what you get
for getting a cheap one.

- It's asking for like rational numbers.

Do you know what that means?

- I got it.

So you're just going to add this one here.

- So how was school?

- It was fine.

- And the theater program?

Did you get in?

- Yeah, I guess we'll see how that goes.

- We're the kids nice?

- It's different.

- Of course it's different.

It's a new school.

- There's punks at every
school, Maddox get over it.

- What's that about?

- Just a couple of kids picked on him.

- You know I'll call the principal.

- Yeah.

That's exactly what you can't do.

He'll be fine.

But no offense.

Let me handle this.

- What's two times two.

- I mean they're fine, but like I said,

we going to need to finish this deal soon.

We're going to have to, or
we're going to loose it.

Alright, we'll talk soon.

Bye-bye.

Hey guys.

- Hey mom.

- How was school?

- It was good, mom.

- First day.

- Yeah.

- You like your teachers?

- Yeah.

- Is it good to see all your friends?

- Yeah.

- Oh good.

Are you guys doing homework?

- Yes, they gave her
homework on the first day.

- And math?

I'm sorry.

Well, I'm glad your brother can help you.

Because you know momma can't.

So where's dad.

- I think he's in the garage.

- Okay.

- Okay.

Now what haven't we memorized already?

[dramatic music plays]

[background music drowns other sound]

- Jacob, wait a second.

Where are you going?

- I'm going out with Carson, Judy.

- Well, what time will you be back?

- I don't know, like an hour.

- Wait a second.

It's cold out there.

Dinner is at six.

- Six?

- How about seven?

[sighs]
[dramatic music plays]

[wind blows]

[students chatter]

- Settle down, settle down.

Well, good morning again.

- [Students] Good morning.

- So any thoughts on the play?

[students chatter]

All right.

All right.

What about something Kentucky?

[students chatter]

Okay guys, settle down.

What about my West Virginia folks?

Do you guys have any ideas?

- How about a coal miner's daughter?

[laughs]

- Jacob.

- Deliverance was filmed here, wasn't it?

With your corn fields and straw hats?

- All right, settle down.

Settle down.

Hey, listen guys.

You've got to come up
with an idea for the play.

I told you.

I'm not going to make
that decision for you.

If you guys don't come up with something,

we're going to spend
the rest of the semester

just cleaning this theater.

And speaking of that,

we still have quite a
bit of cleaning to do.

So I'm going to break
you guys into groups.

You three gentlemen, over here and Dex.

You guys are going to help me up on stage.

Then Maddie, Bri, and Olivia, you guys

are going to go up top, do some
cleaning, sweep the floors.

- Can my brother come with me?

- Yeah, sure.

That'd be fine.

The rest of you let's
find something to do.

Come on.

Yes.

[claps]

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

- What's up?

- Nothing.

- No, what's up.

- I have another hearing.

Another review hearing.

Every so often I have to go before a judge

to see if I'm in the right place,

you know, with the right family.

- Well, are you?

- I mean, I guess so.

- Dude, could they actually take you away?

- If they really didn't want me, I guess.

- Now, who wouldn't want you?

[cries]

- Hey, hey.

- Hey.

- What's wrong?

- Nothing.

- Come on, tell me.

- I'm fine.

- Come on.

[soft music plays]

- Last night, my mom overdosed, again.

You know, for once, I wish

she would just take care of me

instead of taking care of herself.

- Is she okay?

- I'm sure she's fine.

Just like she always is.

- Well, I got another text
about a review hearing.

I have another one.

So I have that to look forward to.

Hey, I'm sure your mom will be just fine.

Come on.

We've got to go clean this theater.

- [Students] Hey.

[mumbles]

- Hey guys, I think this
lady invented Mother's Day.

- I don't think so.

- It says it right there.

- Mother's day was
created in West Virginia.

Everyone knows that.

In fact Father's Day was too.

- Kentucky legislator
recognized her as the originator

of the idea.

"Years later, they adopted
the second Sunday of May

making that Mother's Day."

May.

Hey, that's when we have
to do a performance.

- Oh.

- We should do it on Mother's Day.

- Like perform it on Mother's Day.

- Well, why not?

It's perfect.

I mean, Kentucky basically
invented Mother's Day.

- No it didn't.

- It says it right there.

- You're wrong.

It's just another fake Kentucky lie.

- It's not a lie.

What is your deal?

Seriously?

Why are you so difficult?

Why do you care?

- We learned this in school, back at home.

It was some lady named Jarvis.

Look, we don't have much in West Virginia,

but what we have, we keep.

- Obviously.

- Hey, hey, hey, what's going on here?

- I was just cleaning this lady's plaque--

She's trying to say that
Mother's Day was created here,

but it wasn't.

It was in West--

[both shout]

- Excuse me Mr. Thomas.

I couldn't have been over
here this conversation.

I know both of you disagree

with how Mother's Day was invented,

but you both are right
to a certain extent.

Both West, Virginia and
Kentucky did play a part

in the first Mother's Day.

And I think that you
both would be surprised

about those two pioneer women.

They both had a lot in
common with each other.

- Yeah.

Ray is 100% correct.

In fact, that gives me an idea.

I think we should do a play

about Mother's Day on Mother's Day.

It'd be brilliant.

We could call it "The
Story of Mother's Day."

Yeah.

I like that.

Okay.

As an assignment, you and you

are both going to write the script

and the rest of you guys can
get back to cleaning, please.

I'm going to let the
class know we have a play.

All right guys, go find a room,

hug it out or whatever,
but get to writing.

Because the sooner you give us a script,

the sooner we can all stop being janitors.

I mean it, go for real.

[upbeat music plays]

- You can go back to the theater.

I won't be long.

What?

- Nothing.

[dramatic music plays]

What if we do a musical?

- No, it needs to be a drama.

An emotional drama is what I see.

- Well, I want to be in it.

- Cool.

I don't, I hate acting.

I want to direct it.

- Okay.

- You know, I wrote and directed

the last two theater performances at home.

So I know what I'm doing.

- Okay.

[dramatic music plays]

How about we write two scripts.

One from West Virginia and
the other one from Kentucky,

then let the team decide.

- I mean you have the home
foot advantage, but whatever.

Best story wins?

- Deal.

[soft music plays]

- So how'd it go?

- You'll see Monday.

- Cool.

- What is he doing?

- I don't know.

- He's pretty good.

- Yeah.

- So how about that tour
of the town this weekend?

- I have a play to write.

- You know, some local attractions

might help with your creativity.

- You mean local distractions.

- Oh.

- I'll meet you.

- That's a nice shade of black on black.

Great job.

[chatters]

- Yeah, it was.

- Shut up!

[clears throat]

- Let's pray.

Dear heavenly father.

Thank you for this day.

Thank you for this food.

We ask that you give us the strength

and the wisdom to seek your will, amen.

- [Sandra] Amen.

That was a good one, dad.

- Okay.

Highlights of the day.

- Well, mine really wasn't
the highlight of this day,

but last night, guess what?

- What?

- Rascal slept with me.

- Oh, he did?

- He sure did.

- How did you even get any sleep?

- I don't know.

He's so big, but he sleeps
at the end of the bed

and it works so...

- Well, my highlight was
I didn't get a wedgie

but they still stole my lunch money.

- [Judy] These kids.

- Okay.

Well, my highlight was getting a star

for good work in Math class.

- [Sandra] Good job.

- [Paul] Good job, good job.

- [Judy] That's great.

- I was elected as class representative.

[applause]

- Excellent, excellent.

- I'm proud of you.

Jacob.

- We have a new theater
play that we're going to do.

I don't know what it is yet.

And I have a girlfriend...

A friend who I think is
going through some stuff

- Jacob, what's her name?

- Molly.

- We'll pray for her.

And Jacob, this review.

You don't have anything to worry about.

- If you guys don't want me
here, you can just tell me.

- Jacob.

Mom, dad, what's going on?

What's a...

What review?

- We'll tell you later.

Go ahead and eat.

[somber music plays]

- You know, I wish we
went to church more often.

What do you think?

- I guess.

- I remember, we're volunteering at this

small group outreach and I
didn't really want to go.

But Paul insisted, I think
he wanted to make deacon.

And then there you were.

And I knew...

I knew at that moment
you were going to be part

of our family.

- I always thought I was too much.

[laughs]

- You are too much.

But I wouldn't change one thing about you

and listen this review.

Don't worry about it.

Okay?

You're not going anywhere.

[sniffs]

[soft music plays]

[mumbles]

- Dex, come here.

Come here son.

Son.

[soft music plays]

- I can see you found the place.

- It's a small town.

It wasn't that hard to find.

- Well, small towns have a
lot of history, you know?

- Really?

Like what?

- Well, take this park, for instance.

It's over 200 years old

making it one of the oldest
central parks in America.

Come on, I'll show you some more.

All right.

Now look at this.

- It's a library.

- Not just any library.

The money donated for
the library was donated

by that old billionaire guy.

Carney, you know the steel guy.

- You mean Carnegie.

- Yeah, I've heard it both ways.

All right, let's go.

[upbeat music plays]

So it's the old train station.

Well, it's a replica, obviously.

The original was something
big back in the day

or at least something like that.

And the caboose is actually
from that train yard.

And--

- What are you?

Some walking Encyclopedia?

- What?

I just liked my town.

- I was joking, Carson.

- So are you close to your brother?

- Yeah.

What about you and your
brothers or sisters?

- No, I'm an only child.

Do you like theater?

Yeah, I've been doing it my whole life.

What about you?

- I had some friends that were doing it,

so thought I'd tag along.

- That's cool.

- So how is the play going?

- Honestly, not so good.

It's hard to write a
play about Mother's Day

when you don't have a mom.

My parents died last year.

My brother and I live with my aunt.

- Well, you do have a
mother she's just not here.

Like I have a father.

I just haven't seen him in three years.

All right.

There's one more place I want to take you.

[upbeat music plays]

- My mom would have loved this.

You know, other than hand made cards,

I don't think she ever got
her real Mother's Day gift,

ever.

The dance factory.

Is that a dance studio?

- Yeah.

- Let's go look.

[classical music plays]

I used to take dance when I was younger.

I loved it.

And this place looks really cool.

- Yeah.

It's nice.

I used to come here a
lot when I was younger.

- You used to say dance lessons?

- No, I went to mixed martial arts.

- Seriously?

I'm even more surprised
that you took TaeKwonDo.

- Really?

[dramatic music plays]

- Look, Carson, I got to go.

- Okay.

I'll see you at school?

- Yeah.

Thanks for showing me around town.

- Yeah, no problem.

[classical music plays]

[cheeky music plays]
[keyboard clicks]

- Hey, I got you something.

Listen, I know it's hard.

Maybe that'll be a little inspiration.

[soft music plays]

- No, Dr. Stone, I understand.

I absolutely do.

No, it's just that these
kids been working their tails

off for this performance.

Yes, sir.

And they haven't been able
to perform in over a year.

Is there no way at all
we can find the funds?

Yes, sir.

I, I, there's no way whatso...

There's no leeway anywhere in the budget

that you can find?

And I'm not, I'm not--

Correct.

Okay, sir.

I understand.

No, I'm just...

I'm trying to the best for our kids

and we'll keep looking
for alternative ways.

Thank you, sir.

[students chatter]

- Hey, is everything okay?

- I'm fine.

- Okay.

So he left a note.

I'm in my office, please work together

and decide on a performance
by the end of class.

And let me know.

You all ready?

- Yes we are.

So Olivia and I had prepared
two separate scripts

for you guys today and
we're going to present them.

And then you all will
decide as a team and whoever

is the best will win.

You ready?

- Yeah.

- Go ahead.

- I propose this year
with perform a celebration

on Mother's Day in a play I'm
calling "The Second Sunday."

You see, it was The second Sunday of May

that a West Virginia lady
named Anna Maria Jarvis

founded Mother's Day in
the United States in 1914.

I propose we tell her
story on how she heard

of smaller school Mother's Day gatherings

but it was her, Anna Jarvis,
that led the movement

to make it a national holiday.

We can tell her story
on how she grew up poor,

was a school teacher, and
how she adored her mother.

Also how she named the Carnation,

the official flower a Mother's Day

since it's petals do not drop

and how they're hugged to the heart

of the flower to represent
the enduring love of a mother.

We can show the economic advancements

she pioneered in creating Mother's Day,

our antagonist of the story
will be her political struggles

she endured, and in closing
and my favorite part,

it turned her crazy.

She died broke, and in an insane asylum

paid for by the greeting
card manufacturers.

Thank you.

[coughs]

[crowd applauds]

- If you all, please
look under your chairs.

I provided a full report
of my presentation today.

If you will turn to
page one, we will begin.

Mary Towles Sassoon Wilson,

a name that adorns our very own theatre,

was the originator and
creator of Mother's Day.

Now, history does confirm
that a West Virginian woman

named Anna Jarvis was the
catalyst and the effort

to organize Mother's Day as a holiday,

but it was the Mary that planted the seeds

for a nationally recognized
holiday, Mother's Day.

Long before Jarvis even had a mother.

[laughs]

I call my play, "Something about Mary."

If you'll read in your report,

you will see Mary was
also a school teacher.

She also invented the first
ever Mother's Day card.

It was 32 pages long, but
still, the first card ever.

I want to create a musical,

a momtastic approach to
this wonderful holiday.

Please vote for my story.

Thank you.

[crowd applauds]

- Okay.

So do we even really need a vote?

I mean, both are so similar.

Love their mothers, school teacher, poor,

and I don't know about you,
but that seems perfect.

And don't look at me like that.

- I really liked both approaches too.

Especially the part
about the insane asylum.

And I can be be the clown.

- What clown?

- There's always a clown
in the insane asylum.

[laughs]

- Look, this is due today
and Mother's Day is perfect.

So can you all work this out?

- [Boy] Come on, it's not that hard.

- [Boy] I think we got it.

[chatters]

- So is that a yes?

- Sure.

- Fine.

- We got a play.

[applauds]

- So what do we have?

So if we start with
very grassroots efforts

in the 1890s we conclude

with Anna Jarvis getting Mother's Day

as a national holiday in 1914.

Sound good?

- Sounds perfect.

Now, should I play Mary or Anna?

- You know, you're not such bad writer.

- I do enjoy the writing part.

- Okay.

What about music?

- We don't have a whole lot of time.

Maybe a couple of mother theme songs

but not the wind beneath my wings crap.

- Okay.

Sounds fair.

- You live here with your mom and dad?

- Yeah.

- My brother sings.

- What?

- My brother, Maddox.

He sings.

- Hey, that's great.

He should sing in the play.

- I mean, I can try, but I
don't know if he'd want...

- I mean it wouldn't hurt, right?

- Okay.

So with your opening and my
closing, merging those stories

and characters, that's about 15 pages.

Add a song or two it's only 30 minutes.

- Okay.

Well it's short and sweet.

- 30 minutes is a sit-com not a play

You know, Mother's Day.

Now we give them flowers cards,

go to lunch or dinner back
then they didn't do that.

You said you wanted
more momtastic approach.

I have an idea.

- Okay.

- Okay.

So we can do this.

- Up here?

- But it has to be here.

- [Children] Grandma.

- Kids.

[coughs]

Timmy and Jenny.

Oh, Dana.

I'm so glad to see all of you.

- It's so good to see you, mom.

- And you brought me flowers.

I'm not dead yet.

- Mom.

- We really miss you, grandma.

- I missed you too, Timmy
and Jenny, the sweet face.

Oh, I'm so glad to see all of you.

[soft music plays]

- [Ms. Hendricks] Good morning David.

- [David] Good morning Ms. Hendricks.

- [Man] Take it easy with that arm though.

- [David] I will.

It still bothers me a little,

but the doctor said it
would be okay in a few days.

- [Man] Good.

Could take the sling off,

but it's more comfortable this way.

I'll be in touch with you.

- [David] Good, I'll
wait to hear from you.

[thunder claps]

[students chatter]

- And then they said, oh,
you know, Jabber Walkie.

He isn't just a fictional
character anymore.

It's actually a whole crew.

- Yeah, well you would know.

- Hey Clive, what can I do for you?

- Hey, I'm sorry to keep
bothering you and asking this

but kind of any luck
getting money for the play?

- No, I haven't.

I literally have tried everywhere.

I called the superintendent.

I talked to the school board.

There is nothing anywhere.

And I'm sorry I tried
everything I could, but--

- But I'm supposed to
literally meet with the girls

right now about the play.

How am I supposed to tell
them that it's another year

without a play?

- Clive, you're not the only department

that has had this problem at all.

We've cut from every department.

I'm sorry.

There's nothing I can do

- Have a good day everybody.

- He takes it so personally,
but there's nothing.

We've all cut.

- That's good.

It's a little light.

I did notice the ending
just says "Finale."

- We're going to let our
creative juices rest right now.

- Okay.

Well who's directing?

- Olivia is.

- And I see you have already casted.

Well, that's great.

Good work ladies.

You probably better get to
work on having some pages here.

Just one other thing

if you would hold off on all
of the set design, please.

- Yeah.

- Well you only got a few weeks left

so you guys better get to writing.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

All right, ladies.

[students chatter]

- Okay.

We have decided a role and
a job for the entire class

but we only have nine weeks,
so we cannot argue about it.

So no complaining.

Okay?

The theater is a team effort.

- Then that means that you're the lead.

- No, I'm the co-lead with Molly.

- Let's not forget what
the great theater performer

Zac Efron once said.

♪ We're all in this together ♪

- Okay.

- Hi, I'm Woodrow Wilson.

- I'm Senator Henry Moore Teller.

- Seriously?

I'm student number one.

- Oh, I'm student number four.

- Student number seven over here.

- Ooh. I get to play Anna Jarvis's mom.

Wait, doesn't she die?

- Wait, what about the ending?

You have a finale, but nothing's written.

We're still working on that.

- There's nothing in
here about set design.

- Or wardrobe.

- Mr. Thomas asked us to wait

on those until everything gets finished.

So...

- Well, my character
doesn't even have a line.

- Hey guys, guys, the
theater is a team effort.

Come on.

Let's go.

Come on.

[upbeat music plays]

- Don't worry about it.

It's under control.

[upbeat music plays]

- Hello class.

My name is Ms. Towels,

and I will be your theater teacher today.

Theater teacher.

I'm sorry.

Do you want me to do it again?

- No, that's perfect.

That's a cut on rehearsal.

Good job everyone.

[phone rings]

- Was great.

- [Carson] How was I?

- Mom, don't call me when you're...

[background noise drowns out other sounds]

- Shut up, Maddie.

You don't know what's going on.

Her mom is addicted to pain meds.

It's not her fault.

- I didn't say anything about--

- It's not like you can keep
your mom out of a bottle.

- Jacob.

- At least I have a mom.

- Guys, guys, hod on.

This is supposed to be
about celebrating mothers.

Not tearing them down and
certainly not tearing us down.

- Well at least they're alive.

- Maddox.

- What!

- Maddox.

- No.

- Maddox.

- No.

- All right guys.

Have a seat, please.

I have an announcement to make.

Listen, I've been trying to find a way to

tell you guys this, but
a play has been canceled.

- [Students] What?

- Listen, listen.

I know you guys are disappointed.

I'm just as disappointed as you are.

But unfortunately the school
budget just doesn't allow

for a production this year.

Now I've been working with
principal Ellis for weeks

trying to find an alternative

but culverts put such a
strain on the school's budget.

That money just isn't there.

- But the play is in a few days.

- I know.

And I know you guys
have worked really hard

on this, but I'm sorry, I'm
going to giving you guys just

a few minutes to kind of let this process

and then I'll see you
guys in class tomorrow.

I'm really, really sorry.

- [Anne Voiceovers] I'm
going to sign you up

for two semesters of Latin
and French that should get you

to the end of the year.

- [Madison Voiceovers] But
why are you doing this?

- [Anne Voiceovers] Honey,
economics is pretty simple.

You hire people to do things for you.

And the theater, well the theater is dead.

- [Madison Voiceovers]
Mom that's not fair.

- [Anne Voiceovers] Well, life's not fair.

[soft music plays]

- So you thought that was the best time

to speak your first words?

- I'm just keeping it real, Liv.

- What does that even mean?

- I mean, you have been so preoccupied

running around with your stupid theater.

So I just wanted--

- You just wanted to make sure
I didn't forget about you.

What's the last scene you go

into every production production?

- What production Olivia?

There's not going to be a production.

- Yes there is Mr.Thomas will find a way.

I know it.

Here's the script.

You see it in action.

Now compose it.

- I can do what else with my time.

- What else do you have to do?

[soft music plays]

- What?

- Do you remember when I got this for you?

- No.

- Okay.

So how's school?

- It's fine, I guess.

- You guess?

What's going on?

- What are you doing?

- Nothing.

I just wanted to see
how, how school's going.

How, how things are with you.

How are your friends?

How's life?

- Mom, I didn't tell you this before

because I know you don't
support it or whatever

but I kept my classes the way they were

so that I could stay in theater.

- What you're saying you lied to me?

- I'm sorry, mom, but I love
theater and I love my friends

and I do everything you ask me to do

because I know you only
want the best for me

but acting is my passion mom.

And I know you don't understand,

but it means everything to me.

- Madison, Maddie...

Honey, I'm sorry.

I just--

- It doesn't matter anyway,
our show is canceled.

Theater class is ruined.

I'll just go back to Latin.

Like you wanted in the first place.

- What do you mean the show's canceled?

What's going on?

- Apparently there's no
money in the school budget

for the theater department.

So it's all over.

No play again this year.

- Oh, honey.

- It's not fair, mom.

It's just not fair.

- I know honey.

- [Man] What level of drug
use goes on in this house?

- [Mom] Well, I have prescription drugs,

they're prescribed to me.

- Is this your house ma'am?

- Yes, sir.

- We're talking to your mom for a second.

Everything's okay.

We're just talking to her.

- Is she okay?

- Yes, she's okay.

We're just talking to her.

- Mom?

- Honey, it's fine.

Somebody called and said there were drugs

but they're prescription drugs,
they're prescribed to me.

- Mom, this is our home.

- Honey, it's going to be fine.

- If you need to help you
could have just said something.

- I'm so sorry, she didn't make it.

[sniffles]

- It's grandma, she's gone.

- Robert, it's Anne.

I'm calling about your
school's theater program

and the play that they want to put on.

[foot steps]

- Good morning class.

- [Students] Good morning.

- Sorry to tell you, Mr.
Thomas won't be in today.

His mother passed away last night.

We don't know any of the details just yet.

Sorry to tell you guys this.

I know you care an awful lot about him.

- Well, this is just great
first our play's canceled.

And now this.

Poor Mr. Thomas.

- He did have an announcement
he wanted me to share

with you guys about your play.

[students chatter]

- It's on.

[laughs]

- But how is that possible?

- There was an anonymous
benefactor who donated the money.

So the play is on.

- Like for real?

- 100%?

- For real you get to perform.

[upbeat music plays]

♪ Today is going to be a
little something more ♪

♪ I've got the plan in mind,
a special thing in store ♪

♪ The light bulb inside my
head says get up and play ♪

♪ 'Cause you'll never feel this way ♪

♪ It's my lucky day-ay ♪

♪ It's my lucky day ♪

♪ It's my lucky day-ay-ay-ay ♪

♪ It's my lucky day-ay ♪

♪ I don't need a pot of gold ♪

♪ A rabbit's foot, or to be told ♪

♪ It's my lucky day, It's my lucky day ♪

[trumpet plays]

- Okay.

Make sure each of the
motors are getting a flower

and that they are seated
in the right-hand corner

at the front.

They know who they are.

Do you need more flyers?

Anymore flowers?

- We have to hurry.

We'll be okay.

Just take a deep breath.

- Okay.

- You got this.

- You're going to love it, I promise.

You're going to love it.

Happy Mother's Day.

Hi, welcome.

You're going to love it.

Happy Mother's Day.

Hi, welcome.

Happy Mother's Day.

You're going to love it.

I promise.

Hi, welcome happy Mother's Day.

[people chatter]

- What was that?

"Happy Mother's Day?"

You're telling me Lady
of darkness has a mood

other than gloom.

Look what we did.

Look what you did?

It's going to be great.

- Hey, can we get the
house side stemmed a bit?

- Hey.

- Hey, sorry about your mother.

- Oh, thank you.

- I didn't think y'all
were going to make it.

- Well, of course opening
night with my best class ever.

So I am so, so proud of you guys.

Is there anything else you need from me?

- I think we're good.

- All right.

Well then we're gonna grab our seats.

- Enjoy.

- Hey, break your legs every body.

- Thank you.

[classical music plays]

- It's a packed house out there.

Are you sure we know what we are doing?

- Too late now.

- Okay guys, the theater
has not seen a performance

like this in over a
year, so let's show them

what we can do.

[students cheer]

- At the end of act three is the finale.

It is already planned.

So just go with it.

[people chatter]

- Let's do this.

- You all ready?

Mother's Day on three, ready?

- [Students] One, two three Mother's Day.

[applause]

- Good evening everyone.

And welcome to the Towels theater.

My name is Bri Ferguson
and this is Olivia Bell.

And tonight we bring
you something special.

It's an original play called...

- [Bri and Olivia] "Mother's Day."

[crowd applauds]

- Now you may be wondering
why did we choose Mother's Day

as a topic of this year's performance?

Well, if you didn't
already know, Mother's Day

is this weekend and this
theater, the Towel's theater

plays a huge significance
in the creation of it.

[screams]

- Well, let's get to it.

[crowd applauds]

[piano plays]

- Hurry, Mary, hurry.

Oh, no you're going to be
late for your first day.

- Mom, I'm so nervous.

- You'll be fine.

Just remember what I told you.

Say what you'd like to
say and always smile.

- I don't know what I do without you.

[crowd applauds]

- Good morning class.

- [Students] Good morning.

- My name is Ms. Towels, I'm your teacher.

Now, my mom did always say to
greet everybody with a smile.

So let's see them, beautiful.

Well, I'm from Henderson, Kentucky.

Like I said, my name is Ms. Towels.

I'm an only child

and now we have a go around the room

and tell each other a
little bit about ourselves.

But first we do have work to do.

So let's get to it.

- Sounds good.

- All right.

[piano plays]

- Olivia, we've a problem.

Molly left.

- What do you mean she left?

- She just walked out.

- Go find her.

- Where?

- She has scenes.

You go left.

I'll go right.

- Did you know that part?

- Where is she?

- You're bringing our mom's on stage.

That's the Finale?

- Why didn't you tell us?

- It was a surprise.

That how the first
Mother's Day was organized.

Moms would make surprise visits to school

and the students would introduce them.

What's the big deal?

I thought everyone would love it.

- I mean, it's a good idea.

- Molly doesn't have the best home line.

Molly bolted.

She heard about the Finale.

- Well I have to get back out there.

Can you find her?

Listen, if she doesn't do this, you're on.

- Okay.

Come here, I'll help you with your lines.

- So that's your first line.

- Let's move on to poetry.

How about we write it
inspired by our mothers?

Any ideas?

Yes.

- Well, on Saturdays after
I finished my chores,

my mom always makes time for us.

She makes the best cakes.

- My mother used to make the
most delicious chocolate cake.

And what about you Sarah?

- Well, my mother does
everything for my brother

and I, I don't know what I do without her.

- Mothers are very important.

And what about you?

- Well, my mom.

She always makes me the
best lunches for school.

[laughs]

- And you?

- Molly.

Molly.

There you are.

What's wrong?

Hey, what's wrong?

- I can't do it.

We're all going to have to get up there

and talk about our moms

and I just can't.

- Last week I had to go before a judge.

See if I could keep the same parents.

Think about that.

I had to have some old dude tell me

if I could keep the only
parents that I know.

- Jacob, please don't think I'm ungrateful

or minimizing your situation.

It's just, you don't know my mom.

- You know what he said?

He said, "Young man, no one
gets to pick their family.

Your family is God's gift
designed specifically for you."

God's gift, he said.

So that means that God
created my crazy foster mom

for me because she's crazy.

She's not perfect.

Just the other day.

She lost the only set of car
keys we have, but she's mom.

- So you think God designed
my mom specifically for me?

- Yeah, she's not
perfect, but she's yours.

[soft music plays]

Now, come on.

Olivia's in wardrobe,
she's going to do your part

and don't be mad at her
for calling your mom.

She didn't know.

- She could do the finale too.

- Well, she can't act to save her life

and I'll be right beside you.

- And how did the students react?

- Oh darling, they loved it.

Think about a day where
we all celebrate mothers.

I just wish my mother was here to see it.

- And what are you writing there?

- A little something.

- A new book

- Maybe.

- "Mother's Day"

A celebration written by Mary Towles,

Henderson, Kentucky 1893.

"A mother's love is
unconditioned and is unmatched.

Their influence to their
children is immeasurable.

celebrating Mother's
Day, once a year, much

to the veneration, love,
and respect due to parents

might be song, verse, and story

be inculcated in the next generation.

Well said, well said, darling.

[crowd applauds]

- You got this?

- No.

- Yeah you do.

- Yes, you can, just listen to me,

remember what we rehearsed.

Thank you.

I am so sorry I didn't
tell you about the finale.

- It's okay.

Do you want to do this?

- No, you have to.

- You're awesome.

[laughs]

[crowd applauds]

- I love West Virginia in the fall.

- I do too, darling.

Anna, what are you reading?

- A school teacher

from Kentucky is conducting
these mother celebrations

in her classrooms.

It looks like all over
Tennessee and Ohio too.

- Well, I like the sound of that.

- She chooses April 20th of
every year for the celebration.

Her mother's birthday.

- Well, mine is in May.

- She wrote a book about it.

Listen to this mom, "Every man and woman,

whom the world has called great,

whose words have been
treasured for their goodness

and wisdom, have cherished the memories

of their mothers.

These celebrations are
in fact an awakening

on the part of the child.

A deeper appreciation of her.

Who's the central figure of the home."

- Mother's Day.

[soft music plays]

[crowd cheers]

- This Mother's Day proclamation is absurd

and will not be passed by the Senate.

- Senator, I have a very
important question for you.

- Make it quick.

- Do you have a mother?

[laughs]

- I, President Woodrow Wilson on this day

May 9th, 1914 do declare

that every second Sunday
in May, Mother's Day.

[crowd cheers]

- And that was how the story
of Mother's Day came to be

from what school teacher
in Kentucky to another

in West Virginia, all the
way to the White House.

- And today it has become

one of our most celebrated holidays

in the world and around the nation.

- To end this performance,
we have a surprise.

You see the first Mother's Day

or the Celebration of Mothers,
as they called it back then

wasn't conducted with flowers, cards,

or even lunch in a restaurant.

It was simple.

- It was April 20th, 1887

when a Henderson, Kentucky school teacher,

Mary Towels Sassoon Wilson
surprised her students

when she invited their moms

into their classrooms for the holiday.

- Here, the students
would introduce their moms

to their schoolmates.

They would write poems about
them and sing songs together.

And that is exactly what
we have planned tonight.

Please, if you are a parent

of a student who is on
stage tonight, come up.

[crowd applauds]

- Well, my mom's my hero.

See, our dad left us three
years ago and it was really hard

and she's trying to make
a difference in my life.

- See, she works double
shifts almost every day.

And she's a warrior in motherhood
and just my best friend.

[crowd applauds]

- We have a busy household and my mom,

she knows how to multitask, like no other.

My dad has problems

and my mom knows what to say,
to protect us and guard us.

My mom is more than just a mom.

She's the glue that binds
our family together.

[crowd applauds]

- My mom has been my role model since

before I knew what that was.

Her guidance, her perseverance,

and her stubbornness are
unmatched, but she loves me.

I feel if the night she
still thinks me to see

I feel it in her desire to help me.

Mom, I love you.

- I love you.

[crowd applauds]

- This is Judy and she's my...

She's my mom.

She didn't give birth to me

which makes it more special
because she picked me.

She picked me.

[crowd applauds]

- Mom, I love you.

[crowd applauds]

- Mom, I don't say it enough, I love you.

[crowd applauds]

- That's my brother over there.

My mom...

Well, our parents died last year.

I love you, mom.

No one could ever take your place,

but someone did.

You see my mom's younger sister stepped in

and she is an angel.

[crowd applauds]

- Wait, we have one more surprise.

[slow music plays]

♪ she gave me life ♪

♪ Told me what was right ♪

♪ Told me not to fight the battles ♪

♪ That weren't worth the fight ♪

♪ Right from the start ♪

♪ She held me close ♪

♪ And as time went on,
she was strong enough ♪

♪ To let me go ♪

♪ And there's nothing you can do ♪

♪ That will change my love for you ♪

♪ When the world comes crashing down ♪

♪ Her love will pull you through ♪

♪ There's nothing you can say ♪

♪ That'll take your love away ♪

♪ And the heart ache and the pain ♪

♪ The love will remain ♪

♪ Her love is going to
shine through everyday ♪

♪ And there's nothing in the world ♪

♪ Like a mother's love ♪

♪ She gave me life ♪

♪ Showed me what was right ♪

♪ Taught me not to fight the battles ♪

♪ That weren't worth the fight ♪

♪ Right from the start ♪

♪ She held me close ♪

♪ And as time went on ♪

♪ She was strong enough to let me go ♪

♪ There's nothing you can do ♪

♪ That will change her love for you ♪

♪ When the world comes crashing down ♪

♪ Her love will pull you through ♪

♪ There's nothing you can say ♪

♪ That will take her love away ♪

♪ Through the heartache and the pain ♪

♪ It was her love that still remained ♪

♪ Her love ♪

♪ Is gonna shine through everything ♪

♪ There's nothing in the world ♪

♪ Like a mother's love ♪

♪ She filled every need ♪

♪ Made my life complete ♪

♪ Time and time again ♪

♪ She was with me to the end ♪

♪ She'll believe your dreams ♪

♪ However hard they seem ♪

♪ When you'd almost given up ♪

♪ She was there to lift you up ♪

♪ There's nothing you can do ♪

♪ That will change her love for you ♪

♪ When the world comes crashing down ♪

♪ Her love will pull you through ♪

♪ There's nothing you can say ♪

♪ That will take her love away ♪

♪ Through the heartache and the pain ♪

♪ It was her love that still remained ♪

♪ Her love ♪

♪ Is gonna shine through everything ♪

♪ There's nothing in the world ♪

♪ Like a mother's love ♪

♪ And she would do it all again ♪

♪ For the chance to help you win ♪

♪ She was the one who gave it all ♪

♪ She was the one through every fall ♪

♪ There's nothing you can do ♪

♪ That will change her love for you ♪

♪ When the world comes crashing down ♪

♪ Her love will pull you through ♪

♪ There's nothing you can say ♪

♪ That will take her love away ♪

♪ Through the heartache and the pain ♪

♪ It was her love that still remained ♪

♪ Her love ♪

♪ Is gonna shine through everything ♪

♪ There's nothing in the world ♪

♪ Like a mother's love ♪

[soft music plays]