Mountain Mamas

by Daryl Lisa Fazio

Patsy Armstrong is a coal miner. Just like her daddy, Earl. And just like her mother, Wanda, who, at 60 years old, is still there. As of this week, Patsy’s back in her mother and daddy’s house, after a mining accident that left her with no ability to move or communicate. Her bright 18-year old daughter, Livvy, now lives there too. In a home that’s full of humor and generosity and rowdiness and grit. But a home...

Patsy Armstrong is a coal miner. Just like her daddy, Earl. And just like her mother, Wanda, who, at 60 years old, is still there. As of this week, Patsy’s back in her mother and daddy’s house, after a mining accident that left her with no ability to move or communicate. Her bright 18-year old daughter, Livvy, now lives there too. In a home that’s full of humor and generosity and rowdiness and grit. But a home—not to mention a whole dang planet—that’s under more pressure than maybe it’s ever been. When the family gets news about the settlement from Patsy’s accident, Livvy jumps into the fray. And Patsy, now forced to listen and observe more than she ever did as a healthy person, is plagued by nightmares and revelations she’s able to share only with us. In this story of resilience and redemption, it doesn’t take long for her to realize she has to learn a new way of being if she’s gonna save her entire world.

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Mountain Mamas

Recommended by

  • Audrey Cefaly: Mountain Mamas by Daryl Lisa Fazio
    “

    Saw a reading of this piece at Florida Rep PlayLab. Tightly-drawn character study. Bold and self-assured, Fazio knows about the power of distillation.

    Saw a reading of this piece at Florida Rep PlayLab. Tightly-drawn character study. Bold and self-assured, Fazio knows about the power of distillation.

    ”
  • Jason Parrish: Mountain Mamas by Daryl Lisa Fazio
    “

    Florida Rep was happy to showcase Daryl's work again in our 2023 PlayLab Festival. Mountain Mamas looks at a specific subset of southern women - coal miners in West Virginia. She tackles a huge issue with heart and humor (as always with Daryl). She makes you cry and laugh and shines a light on the special bonds between mothers and daughters. I highly recommend considering this play for your theatre and the actresses in your circle of artists.

    Florida Rep was happy to showcase Daryl's work again in our 2023 PlayLab Festival. Mountain Mamas looks at a specific subset of southern women - coal miners in West Virginia. She tackles a huge issue with heart and humor (as always with Daryl). She makes you cry and laugh and shines a light on the special bonds between mothers and daughters. I highly recommend considering this play for your theatre and the actresses in your circle of artists.

    ”
  • Cori Lang: Mountain Mamas by Daryl Lisa Fazio
    “

    This play opened my eyes to the inner workings of the American coal-mining family, awakening cognitive dissonance within myself as Fazio humanizes and expands upon the areas of grey of the rural working class family in such a decisive time as now. Poignant commentary on labor rights and climate change, this play is a wonderful family drama with a ton of heart and soul. Truly down to earth and authentic.

    This play opened my eyes to the inner workings of the American coal-mining family, awakening cognitive dissonance within myself as Fazio humanizes and expands upon the areas of grey of the rural working class family in such a decisive time as now. Poignant commentary on labor rights and climate change, this play is a wonderful family drama with a ton of heart and soul. Truly down to earth and authentic.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Development History

Awards

  • Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights
    Barter Theatre
    Selection
    2021
  • National Playwrights Conference
    O'Neill Theatre Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2021
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Finalist
    2021