Show Synopsis:
Three couples - Lizzy and Danny the unmarried college students, Alan and Arlene the joyous empty-nesters, and Nick and Pam the eager wannabe parents - discover that they're having babies. Each couple navigates different reactions and experiences that accompany the pregnancy. Lizzy and Danny disagree over whether they should get married, Arlene is terrified of the idea of a new baby, and Pam cannot wait to be a motherhood to affirm the femininity that has eluded her since childhood. All three women meet at the doctor's office and bond and disagree over their experiences and plans. Nick consoles Danny, who wants to marry Lizzy and be a good father though Lizzy does not want to be married. Pam discovers that she is not pregnant and Danny take a job with a punk rock group to make ends meet for his child. Alan knows that Arelene is hesitant to have another child and starts look for an abortion doctor while Nick and Pam keep trying to get pregnant and Danny goes on his summer tour, but then Arelene decides to keep the baby. At six months, Lizzie balks at the anecdotes women feel compelled to share with her about their own pregnancies, and Arlene is starting to have doubts about herself. In the fall, Danny returns from his tour and he and Lizzy reaffirm their love for each other, as do Pam and Nick and Alan and Arlene. Lizzy has the baby and Danny is overcome with emotion.

Character:
Arlene, a woman in her 40s who is unsure about whether to have another child or settle into the life of an empty nester.

Song Context:
Arlene is six months pregnant and trying to look inside herself, evaluating all her life has been and could be. She is still not entirely sure that she wants this baby but it is too late to change her mind.

Fun Facts:
1. This musical originated in a conversation between composer David Shire and his brother-in-law Francis Ford Coppola, when Coppola told Shire that small plays about personal and real emotions of real people were the future of theatre. Coppola told Shire to write about the most meaningful fact in his life, which happened to be the birth of Shire's son Matthew. 
2. Beth Fowler originated the role of Arlene on Broadway. 
3. Shire told BSOSpirit.com that he considered Baby his "best complete show, and very personal." He won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for the score.