Mother's Wishes

by Robert Lynn

Teresa is concerned for her mother. Her siblings, Kevin, a doctor, and Michele, a neurotic, are not so concerned. Mom tends to drive Michele crazy, and Kevin just tries to avoid contact with her. One by one, Mom embarrasses, frustrates and enrages her children. She’s always been eccentric, but now her memory is starting to fade and enhance her lunacy.

These three siblings who don't get along are forced together...

Teresa is concerned for her mother. Her siblings, Kevin, a doctor, and Michele, a neurotic, are not so concerned. Mom tends to drive Michele crazy, and Kevin just tries to avoid contact with her. One by one, Mom embarrasses, frustrates and enrages her children. She’s always been eccentric, but now her memory is starting to fade and enhance her lunacy.

These three siblings who don't get along are forced together by their repentant mother who has resolved to bring them together to make up for her poor parenting.

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Mother's Wishes

Recommended by

  • Emily Hageman: Mother's Wishes

    A tremendously darkly humorous show with a lot of zinging dialogue. It would be easy to hate Kevin and Michele--and even Mom sometimes--but instead, I found myself loving them for all their idiosyncrasies. The way the siblings treat each other hurts sometimes--but is ultimately realistic and powerful. A nestled in the middle of this dysfunctional sandwich is a powerful speech about the dangers of prescription drugs. It makes you laugh, it makes you hurt, it makes you think. Wonderfully done, Lynn.

    A tremendously darkly humorous show with a lot of zinging dialogue. It would be easy to hate Kevin and Michele--and even Mom sometimes--but instead, I found myself loving them for all their idiosyncrasies. The way the siblings treat each other hurts sometimes--but is ultimately realistic and powerful. A nestled in the middle of this dysfunctional sandwich is a powerful speech about the dangers of prescription drugs. It makes you laugh, it makes you hurt, it makes you think. Wonderfully done, Lynn.

  • Sharon Goldner: Mother's Wishes

    "Chapstick Kevin."
    "Anti Disney World where dreams go to die."
    "You want her to use a coupon for an abortion?"
    THAT is just a small sampling of the genius that is at the heart of Robert Lynn's talent, and I have not even mentioned the three adult children arguing at the reading of their dead mother's will over who will get her artificial hip!
    Robert has a keen observer's eye & the ability to play with the language so that what you have are not merely words on the page but glorious images to revel in.

    "Chapstick Kevin."
    "Anti Disney World where dreams go to die."
    "You want her to use a coupon for an abortion?"
    THAT is just a small sampling of the genius that is at the heart of Robert Lynn's talent, and I have not even mentioned the three adult children arguing at the reading of their dead mother's will over who will get her artificial hip!
    Robert has a keen observer's eye & the ability to play with the language so that what you have are not merely words on the page but glorious images to revel in.

  • Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos: Mother's Wishes

    Oh, so much cringe worthy fun! Sometimes, these three adult siblings can work together through their mother's failing health, but not very often and not very well. But who can blame them with parents like theirs? For those readers with children, there's something deliciously satisfying about Mother's bad behavior and her filter-less tongue. Driven by snappy dialogue and flawed but endearing characters, this full-length play is a joy to read. Audiences will love to laugh at this show!

    Oh, so much cringe worthy fun! Sometimes, these three adult siblings can work together through their mother's failing health, but not very often and not very well. But who can blame them with parents like theirs? For those readers with children, there's something deliciously satisfying about Mother's bad behavior and her filter-less tongue. Driven by snappy dialogue and flawed but endearing characters, this full-length play is a joy to read. Audiences will love to laugh at this show!

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Aloha Performing Arts Company, Year 2017

Awards

  • Reva Shiner Comedy Award
    Finalist
    2018
  • Opie Award
    Aloha Performing Arts Company - 24th Original Play Festival
    Audience Choice
    2017
  • Iowa Play Festival [as a one-act]
    Iowa Play Festival
    Winner
    2009