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by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — September is known as the start of autumn and the end of summer. The season is changing, and this month’s Theatre in the Pass play, Things My Mother Taught Me, embodies the spirit of change.

The romantic comedy took over the Randolph Community Center from September 5th to the 14th, 2025. Written by Katherine DiSavino, the play tells the story of a young couple navigating their first move-in together and the chaos that breaks out when both sets of parents show up. Directed by Gail Trahan, this comedy explores relationships across generations, revealing how parents often pass on valuable lessons to their children without even realizing it… and sometimes, the children may teach them a thing or two.

The young couple was played by Brennan Prince, the Creative Director of The DEN Theatrics, and Taylor Jane Wolfe, a seasoned actress who graduated from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the Mississippi School of the Arts, and the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

The quirky, lovable parents were portrayed by Donna Mellott, who shone in 1990 and returned for an encore in 2023; she never lost her flair and Tim Gilmore, would you believe this is just his third performance?

Carolyn Martin, an esteemed dancer, former principal and assistant director of Total Dance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. From serving as the Planning Director and Grants Administrator of Ocean Springs to wowing in Pass Christian, what can’t she do!

Martin Booda, perhaps you’ve seen him in Covington, LA, or even Ocean Springs, MS he has been performing for over 40 years all over!

Finally, the comedic landlord with a great accent, Genie Talbert, has participated in productions across Mississippi. 

Prepare to be entertained and delighted by “Things My Mother Taught Me.” The play will leave you laughing and awing, especially when two drunk fathers give surprisingly sound advice, as whipped cream is playfully eaten on stage.

Here is what Tim Gilmore, the whipped cream lover, had to say about his time with the play and fatherly role: “It was fun. It was really fun. The advice the dads gave was actually good advice, even if they were drunk, but being in this comedy has been fun, exciting, and my third play. But the Ready Whip helped. The dad scene and the scene with Lydia going hyper on the cleaning, that was, those two just made it. The whole thing just flew by, and I thought, ‘It’s over?’ Oh, I feel great about the play. I feel great about tonight. Everybody works well together, and all of them are experienced actors, and to work with them and learn from them has been just great.” 

Everyone can learn from “Things My Mother Taught Me,” young and old, parent or child. The play effectively uses humor to depict the ongoing generational tensions and the journey of growth and understanding between parents and their children.

It highlights that despite differences and conflicts, love and honest communication are key to strengthening relationships over time.

(Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)