Danny & Liz, Pam & Nick and Alan & Arlene are three couples living close to Chicago university. Almost simultaneously, the three women become pregnant. Liz, who is a first year student is very worried about her future, living together with musician-more-than-a-student Danny. Athletic Pam can't wait to have her first baby in her arms, with sports instructor Nick as the proud father. Arlene, who already has three grown-up daughters, is thinking of having an abortion, while her husband Alan, a university professor, is thrilled with the thought of a new baby.

Their joy quickly fades away when Danny has to go on tour to earn money, and when the doctor tells Nick his sperm is of very low quality. Arlene decides to keep the baby, but breaks down when she realises she's always been a mother first, and only in second place a wife to Alan.

Danny comes back from his tour, and Liz agrees to marry him. Pam and Nick follow "the rules of the book" the doctor gave them, and decide to keep on trying, while Arlene and Alan reconcile. The three couples meet each other in the maternity wing of the hospital, when Liz has just given birth to a beautiful baby.

Awards

• It received positive reviews from The New York Times, describing the story "agreeably smart": Shire writes with sophistication over a range that embraces rock, jazz and the best of Broadway schmaltz ... Maltby's lyrics are not just smart and funny, but often ingenious." [1]

European prémiere

External links