Mom, Are You There?

Wonderful storytelling that perfectly combines humor with poignancy. Mary shares her troubled past with just the right amount witticisms, without sacrificing the true pain that lies at the heart of her story. ... full review

I’m honestly getting emotional just thinking about it. Mary was able to balance pain and humor so well which is not an easy thing to do. It was cathartic and had my attention the whole time. She managed to make something deeply personal to her and yet I still related to it and empathized. I love her POV; as someone who isn’t Armenian it’s been really cool learning more about their culture and history.... full review

Mom, Are You There? was funny, entertaining, heartfelt. I've known Mary as a comedian, but I had never seen this other side of her. There were many laugh out loud moments, but also many heartbreaking moments. Mary never is self-pitying, but rather is triumphant through her comedy. ... full review

Amazing show - Mary really opened up her past and showed so much vulnerability. She showed so much raw emotion while keeping it super hilarious ... full review

A relatable and funny show with a lot of heart. This show really had it all for me. The cultural tidbits and sprinkling of Armenian words and of course, Vartoush, all add so much flair - it has a My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibe, though there were NO weddings. Phew! Inside joke, you’ll get it when you see this show.... full review

Mary is a seasoned performer who gracefully brings us into the story of her childhood. It's full of dark details, spouts of humor, and fantastical characters like WEED and SHAME. I left knowing more about the interesting person that is Mary and energized by the spirit of personal healing. ... full review

Such a great story performed by an extraordinary actress! It was so moving in all the right ways. Mary knows how to command an audience and keep you guessing. Well done! Would highly recommend ... full review

Wow! Seriously a hug for the soul! You adore Mary from the jump - Everybody loves Vartoush, but to get to know Mary and her story you will be left wondering HOW can you laugh at circumstances like that? Because Mary is an hilarious writer and performer who tossed fears aside to brave the whole truth. I cannot wait to see what she decides to share next! ... full review

Mary Basmadjian is a TREASURE and one of the most IMPORTANT voices of our community. (What did we do to deserve such a great person in our orbit??) First of all, this show is heartwarming and hilarious, with brilliant storytelling. On a deeper level, Mary is doing such important work by bringing up nuanced dialogue about life in a diaspora community, which is essential viewing not just for Armenians but any “third culture kid” who knows what it’s like to live at the intersections. Being a cycle breaker is the big work of our generation in this moment in time. This show (and a lot of Mary’s other work) is a blueprint of how to live with grace. Mary’s power and resilience are reminders of the beauty and challenges that shape who we are,... full review

This was a very powerful, vulnerable, heartbreaking and funny one woman show.... full review