The family dynamic is thrown into a tailspin when the matriarch is no longer herself. “Last Lists of My Mad Mother” is a dark comedy that examines a family whose mother needs care, and the two daughters who take very different approaches to helping their mother.
~Review and Photos by Dana Nöllsch~
More about “Last Lists of My Mad Mother”
Ma, played by Barbara Biondo, is the mother of two daughters, Dot, played by Wendy Feign, and Sis, played by Kathy Welch, but Ma is finding her mental health declining. Even though Ma is more confused than she ever has been, she is also very smart and realizes just what the people around her are expecting to hear, and Dot is doing her best to help Ma through this difficult time in her life.
From playing cards to going on car rides, Dot is there for Mom the best that she can be in this frustrating experience. Dots’ sister, Sis, lives some distance away and is not actively engaged in the daily care of Ma the way Dot is.
This is a scenario that unfortunately plays out all too often in families.
But there is a lot more to Last Lists of My Mad Mother than just tension and conflict. This is truly a funny play, one of those plays that you will find yourself laughing, but intellectually thinking should I find this funny? But don’t think too hard and just enjoy the ride.
The father is upstairs, sick, but does not get much more than a passing mention.
The story centers around the dynamic between Ma and Dot.
What about the Performances
The actors in Last Lists of My Mad Mother truly do an outstanding job with a very complex character development and intricate dialogue. This is truly a play that the actors can shine in, and these three certainly do.
Wendy Feign plays Dot, the daughter who is trying to hold her mother‘s life together as she watches the woman who raised her slowly disappear. Feign is outstanding in bringing that discomfort and frustration to the stage that anyone who has had to deal with a parent with Alzheimer’s can understand.
Barbara Biondo plays Ma; she does a great job showing how an intelligent person with declining cognitive ability can consciously know what they’re supposed to say, even though they don’t remember it. Biondo hits her character spot on.
Kathy Welch plays Sis, the daughter who is not present physically and not engaged emotionally with the drama going on just outside of her view. Although Welch is not seen often in the play, her presence is felt very powerful.
The Bottom Line
Last Lists of My Mad Mother is indeed a dark comedy with darkness that many can relate to. The story mirrors what I went through with my mother in very surprising ways. I have to say that I did not find the play particularly triggering, but I did find it to be cathartic in many ways.
If you are looking for entertainment on a deeper emotional level, then Last Lists of My Mad Mother will certainly be the play to see.
And That’s the Bottom Line!
Last Lists of My Mad Mother
Directed by D.A. Mishler
Cast
Dot played by Wendy Feign
Ma played by Barbara Biondo
Sis played by Kathy Welch
Performance Dates
February 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 22th, 23st, 24nd, 25th,
Purchase tickets here: cur8.com
Restless Artists Theatre Company
295 20th Street, Sparks
775 525-3074
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