`Baby' is a cuddly, little bundle of joy

Baby Lizzie Fields Liz Callaway Danny Hooper Dan Foster Arlene McNally Kathy Taylor Alan McNally Joe D. Lauck Pam Sakarian Shannon Cochran Nick Sakarian Russell Reneau Marriott's Lincolnshire Theater presents a musical by SybillePearson, David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr. Directed by Maltby. Setby Jeffrey Harris. Costumes by Nancy Missimi. Lighting by TerryJenkins. Musical direction by Kevin Stites. Through June 29 atMarriott's Lincolnshire Resort, Milwaukee Avenue, one-half mile southof Half Day Road. 634-0200. Everybody loves a baby, but new mothers are especially vulnerable.For me, being objective about the latest production at Marriott'sLincolnshire Theater is just about as possible as passing up thelatest formula special at Toys R Us.

So let me gush and coo about "Baby," one of the most lovableshows to hit the Marriott stage.

For the Chicago area premiere of the 1984 Broadway musical,Marriott producer Kary Walker has snared not only the original NewYork director, Richard Maltby Jr., but also leading lady LizCallaway, who recreates the role that earned her a 1984 Tony Awardnomination. Translated to Marriott's in-the-square stage, the showsimply exudes cuddly warmth.

"Baby" tells the tale of three couples who suddenly findthemselves in the throes of expectant parenthood. Callaway is acollege student who just moved in with her boyfriend (Dan Foster).Kathy Taylor and Joe D. Lauck are middle-aged marrieds who overdotheir 20th wedding anniversary. And Shannon Cochran and RussellRe-neau play a couple who desperately want kids, but have to copewith unexpected fertility.

Blended with lovely and often witty songs, the stage actiontakes the characters from the joy and/or shock of getting pregnancytest results right through the moment of birth. But all is not icecream and pickles. There are many poignant stops along thenine-month journey as the couples discover the intense stresspregnancy puts on marriages. The level-headed, realis tic way "Baby" deals with this is just another plus.

Callaway, daughter of Chicago TV personality John Callaway, issimply perfect as Lizzie, the college-student mom. Her voice issweet with a lovely trill in the upper registers. And her enthusiasmfor her main man, Dan Foster, is especially touching since Foster isher real-life husband.

The other standout is Shannon Cochran who moves, talks and evenstands still like a female athlete. Her passion for "true womanhood"might seem a little dated, but Cochran gives painful insistency tothis real desire.

The singing cast gives the "Baby" score a lovely reading.Director Maltby keeps this long show moving at a brisk pace withoutlosing long moments of dramatic impact. And costumer Nancy Missimideserves a special mention for her subtle, taste-ful arrangement ofsoft colors and modern lines.

"Baby" is such an appealing, winning show that it seems silly tovoice an objection. But I have one anyway. During those first,exhausting three months of pregnancy, who really has the energy toget up and sing?