Mom, Are You There?

Mary Basmadjian's touching and hilarious solo show is a masterclass in storytelling and character work. ... full review

Mary is one of the most genuine and vulnerable performers I have ever seen. I really loved the hopeful ending. She gave this piece, it really could’ve gone a different way and I am so proud and admire the hopeful ending she gave us. She took us on a very clear journey of her life that held a lot of trauma yet she did a wonderful job of providing genuine levity in moments. ... full review

Mary is magical to watch. Of all the fringe shows i've seen this year, this is my favorite. So many solo shows have magical bells and whistles of stage craft and props. This show just had Mary but the real magic is her acting. The amount of charcters she literally tansforms from seemlessly is astounding. She is a wizard! Truly magical. The show is hilarious and heartfelt that is driven by Mary's amazing ability to transform into her subject. ... full review

A fantastic storyteller and comedian taking you on a journey of her life that will make you feel every possible feeling. ... full review

Such a raw and vulnerable story, packaged in Mary's telltale playful style. From dear to distant family members, to inner demons and home appliances, Mary embodies a beautiful one-woman show, sharing her story of struggle and resilience, alongside her host and beloved character Vartoush tota :) Amazing job, Mary -- thank you for your vulnerability and grace in sharing your story. We are so lucky to have you in the Armenian community. You're an inspiration and a beacon of light to so many! ... full review

An incredibly raw study of her own childhood!! This piece was genuine and melancholy and fun. I applaud Mary's vulnerability!!... full review

Wow, why an amazing exploration of a fascinating life. So brave and compelling, I was crying within the first 3 minutes then laughing right after. And such an impressive, present performance from such a dynamic artist like Mary.... full review

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