Mother of Pearl spans the thirty-year relationship between struggling songwriter Velma Grass and her daughter, Pearl. Much of the story is told in flashbacks, with the supporting actors playing multiple roles. The action takes place in November, 1993 in Nashville and travels back through one of the most exciting times in country music. Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, and the Grand Ole Opry are all part of the play.

The play opens at the Riverview Nursing Home in Nashville, Tennessee. Velma Grass is visited by her daughter, Pearl, a manicurist. Through flashbacks, we learn that a teenage Velma ran away from home and moved to Nashville to become the next Patsy Cline. For years Velma performs in dives all over town. One night Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl come to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge to catch her act. But Velma's bus breaks down and her little daughter, who acts as her manager, goes on for her and steals the show with "Santa's Got the Flu". Roy asks little Pearl to sing on the Grand Ole Opry Christmas show. But the night of the performance little Pearl gets sick. Velma is forced to go on in her place, and knocks 'em dead. Velma walks off stage and finds they've taken Pearl to the hospital. She's suffering from insulin shock. Without insurance to pay for Pearl's medical expenses, Velma gives up her song to Brenda Lee to record, and "Santa's Got the Flu" becomes a hit. After the disappointment, Velma quits singing. The rest of the play deals with their struggle to forgive each other. Velma for having to give up her career to take care of her daughter, and Pearl for her mother's quitting music, the one thing they both loved.

Chambers Stevens originally from Nashville, Tennessee, founded the award-winning Nashville Shakespeare Festival. Chambers has written six books for young performers (Hollywood 101) all published by Sandcastle Publishing; traveling on a 36 city book tour sponsored by Barnes and Noble, he signed books from Nashville to New York. Of all his accomplishments, Chambers is most proud of winning the Tennessee Arts Commission Fellowship for Outstanding Playwright. He is also the recipient of The Ingram Fellowship for his play Mother of Pearl.

Two acts; set, Nursing Home bedroom with Pearl's flashbacks; Time, 1960-1993.

See also: Plays About Family Relationships, Plays for Senior Theatre