My Mom Died When I Was 14 (A Comedy)

One-man shows are not easy to pull off. This one does it, and nails it. Super funny with an endearing level of vulnerability. ... full review

This show blends humor and sadness effortlessly. From the show's title, you know you are going to be dealing with a very heavy topic, but Matt Gudernatch's initial presence quickly puts the audience at ease and opens you up to a wonderful, hilarious and heartbreaking experience.... full review

Matt is unflinchingly honest in relating his heartwarming/heartbreaking personal story. Well-paced and incredibly funny, Matt manages to make his idiosyncratic, neurotic journey relatable to anyone who has navigated the awkward gauntlet of adolescence, high school, unrequited love, and unbearable loss. I can't recommend this show enough!... full review

Matt’s show was fantastic. From start to finish, you are emotionally tied to the story of his mom, and also Matt’s delightfully awkward youth. You will feel a range of emotions throughout this excellent show that tackles such a difficult topic. It takes guts to be this vulnerable, and Matt pulls it off.... full review

It takes true talent to pull off a one man show, and this performer, writer and creator clearly has true talent! He took the audience along for an emotional ride as he brought us through a tumultuous time of loss, growth, love and significantly delayed puberty. I laughed and cried and left feeling that I had been given a front row seat to Matt's life at age 14. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up for this show and for its star!... full review

Matt relives the precocious and hilarious self-awareness of the awkward, unlucky young boy he once was. Beautiful in its darkness and merriment, his story is told with much laughter and sorrow. I cannot recommend this show enough, as I will have to see it again to hear what I missed through the parts that I was laughing.... full review

Incredible performance. It's not easy to have an audience laughing uncontrollably and crying inconsolably during one 45 minute performance, but Matt accomplished both in the most moving and eye-opening way. He bared his soul to the world and the performance that resulted from it was incredible. ... full review

Matthew Gudernatch absolutely brings it in "My Mom Died When I was 14!" It was an absolute delight to watch Matt onstage, even as he shared some of the most intimate and painful moments of his life. He does so in a deeply personal, extremely funny and incredibly moving way. I haven't laughed so hard at live theatre in a long time. And because he earns the audience's trust throughout the show, it makes the ending even more moving, beautiful and cathartic - I shed many a tear! It takes real guts to do a one man show and be this vulnerable, kudos to Matt for allowing us all to take the journey with him. And it's all done in less than an hour - a true feat! This is a must see!... full review

What an entertaining show! The way the show is constructed made for an interactive and unique experience. Matthew Gudernatch's usage of the video screen, prop, puppet, guitar, and the song felt very well prepared to express the story they wanted to tell. While the subject is heavy and sad, Matthew's acting brings levity to the play. While the respect for his mother is still present, he can seamlessly shift into a comedic tone in the next through clever dialogue. ... full review

One of the best pieces of theater I've seen in a long time. This powerhouse, authentic performance swung effortlessly between genuine vulnerability and giddy silliness. The goofy and the profound both felt like authentic expressions of this exceptional performer. I laughed throughout the show, and when I wasn't laughing, I was crying. Truly exceptional work.... full review