¡Mamágua!

by jose sebastian alberdi

When Martín comes out to his mother, la señora Doña Marina goes to extreme lengths to make sure that her son keeps it a secret with the help of La Virgen, Diosito, and a priest. But when Marina realizes she might have acted a bit too impulsively, she has to—again—go to extreme lengths to make everything right. Unfortunately, Martín and his new otherworldly boyfriend are anything but forgiving. A sort-of insane...

When Martín comes out to his mother, la señora Doña Marina goes to extreme lengths to make sure that her son keeps it a secret with the help of La Virgen, Diosito, and a priest. But when Marina realizes she might have acted a bit too impulsively, she has to—again—go to extreme lengths to make everything right. Unfortunately, Martín and his new otherworldly boyfriend are anything but forgiving. A sort-of insane play about love, revenge, and continuously forgiving those who have hurt our hearts.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

¡Mamágua!

Recommended by

  • Alexander Burdette: ¡Mamágua!

    This play is about true and traumatic things, but the rules of the world and the characters in it are such that one can see the individual pieces and how they fit together into a larger whole. I love the way this play interacts with pain. alberdi couches concepts that might otherwise be too painful to look at in such style and character relationships that the play and the audience are able to examine them closely.

    This play is about true and traumatic things, but the rules of the world and the characters in it are such that one can see the individual pieces and how they fit together into a larger whole. I love the way this play interacts with pain. alberdi couches concepts that might otherwise be too painful to look at in such style and character relationships that the play and the audience are able to examine them closely.

  • Shaun Leisher: ¡Mamágua!

    A horror comedy with a good bit of religious fanaticism. There is so much to reflect and ponder on here and be uncomfortable about but I love that it ends with so much joy!!!

    A horror comedy with a good bit of religious fanaticism. There is so much to reflect and ponder on here and be uncomfortable about but I love that it ends with so much joy!!!

  • John J King: ¡Mamágua!

    I truly loved reading this play, which flips the coming-out-story on it's head and then hits that head with a giant gilded crucifix. Hilarious, terrifying, mystical and madcap. The play is also theatrical in delightfully simple and surprising ways - the story and the storytelling are chock full of secrets that keep unfolding until the end. Read it, produce it, watch it!

    I truly loved reading this play, which flips the coming-out-story on it's head and then hits that head with a giant gilded crucifix. Hilarious, terrifying, mystical and madcap. The play is also theatrical in delightfully simple and surprising ways - the story and the storytelling are chock full of secrets that keep unfolding until the end. Read it, produce it, watch it!

View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

All actors should be able to speak Spanish fluently, or without an American accent.
One actor plays Padre Mateo, El Cucuy, and Jesús Cristo—this is not optional.
  • Doña Marina
    A Mexican woman, fiercely Catholic, not naïve just believes strongly in
    her faith and her own worldview. Mother to Martín, mid 40s to early 50s.
  • Martín
    A Mexican man, queer & closeted (for now). Loves his mother and
    wouldn’t hurt a fly—but would 100% push its buttons hard. Early 20s.
  • Diosito
    The Catholic god. Humorless and matter of fact about it all. A little bit
    scattered, but who can blame them, they have a big world to watch over.
    This role should never be played by a cis man.
  • Padre Mateo
    The local priest. Very good at telling people what to do and is not above
    pettiness or any other venial sins. He thinks he is very funny and smart.
    Also plays El Cucuy & Jesús Cristo.
  • El Cucuy
    The fabled boogeyman of Spanish-speaking countries. In this play, he is a
    sexual, selfish being who is great at getting exactly what he wants.
    Also plays Padre Mateo & Jesús Cristo.
  • Jesús Cristo
    The son of Diosito himself. A dom daddy legend who's the ultimate wino.
    Also plays El Cucuy & Padre Mateo.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Campfire Theatre Festival, Year 2019
  • Type Workshop, Organization Fresh Ink Theatre, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Fresh Ink Theatre, Year 2019
  • Type Residency, Organization Lambda Literary, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Rorschach Theatre, Year 2025

Awards

  • Terrence McNally New Works Incubator
    Terrence McNally Foundation / Rattlestick
    Semi-Finalist
    2024
  • Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship
    New Dramatists
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • Ingenio Festival
    Milagro
    Finalist
    2020
  • Many Voices Fellowship
    The Playwright's Center
    Finalist
    2020
  • Scratchpad Series
    The Playwright's Realm
    Semi-Finalist
    2019