Tis True, Ma (Ten Minute) by Paul Donnelly

I was deeply moved seeing photographs of and reading about the openly gay Irish Prime Minister’s visit to the Stonewall Inn on St. Patrick’s Day in 2018. The play looks at the visit’s effect on a gay Irish-American man who is trying to gain acceptance from his mother and lover for different facets of his personality. Their evening at Stonewall moves one, but not the other.
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Tis True, Ma (Ten Minute)

Recommended by

  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn:
    27 Jun. 2023
    “ An absolutely lovely snapshot of history from the perspective of people it may have affected the most. Powerful and informative. Great characters to play as well. ”
  • Ryan Vaughan:
    27 May. 2023
    “ Absolutely beautiful piece. I had read the synopsis but found myself really hoping that I had read it wrong and everything would turn out right in the end. Unfortunately that is not the case. But works like this that show the raw pain on the LGBTQ+ community are needed. And this piece is beautiful. ”
  • Sam Heyman:
    21 May. 2023
    “ Locked between his obligations to his Catholic, Irish family and his loyalty to his embittered, ex-Catholic lover, Kevin O'Connor has quite a choice to make. However, the choice is less about whose side Kevin takes than what Kevin is willing to tolerate when it comes to disrespect about who he is and the life he wants to live.

    Paul Donnelly's "Tis True, Ma" navigates the challenge of queer people who come out later in life to not just receive the acceptance they crave, but to demand the respect they deserve with cultural specificity and heart. Excellent work. ”
View all 13 recommendations

Character Information

  • Siobhan O’Connor
    92, Array,
    Cisgender Female
    Born in the Republic of Ireland. Came to the States as a war bride. As Irish as the day she arrived. Capable of enormous respect and affection for the dead. Rigid, fierce, and unforgiving toward the living.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Kevin O’Connor
    67, Array,
    Cisgender Male
    Her son. Scarred by his Catholic upbringing, but able to live with the scars and, indeed, embrace aspects of his Irish heritage. Believes he can still win his mother’s love. Gay.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Michael Patrick O’Malley
    58, Array,
    Cisgender Male
    His lover. Endured a more abusive childhood, more physical violence. He has rejected the Catholic and the Irish in his background quite firmly. Doesn’t understand how Kevin can’t need to do the same.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Buffalo United Artists Takes Ten: Stonewall Edition
    ,
    2019