Mama, I wish I were silver

by Amanda L. Andrei

On a cold January day in 2020, Sofia and Ariel, two estranged Filipina American half-sisters, reunite in Virginia to clean out the photographs, papers, and letters of their recently deceased mother. When they find a cassette tape seemingly recorded during martial law in the Philippines, when Ariel was born, they realize that what their mother left behind has a life of its own.

On a cold January day in 2020, Sofia and Ariel, two estranged Filipina American half-sisters, reunite in Virginia to clean out the photographs, papers, and letters of their recently deceased mother. When they find a cassette tape seemingly recorded during martial law in the Philippines, when Ariel was born, they realize that what their mother left behind has a life of its own.

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Mama, I wish I were silver

Recommended by

  • Hannah C Langley: Mama, I wish I were silver by Amanda L. Andrei
    “

    I saw a reading of this play at Boston Court, and it completely wrecked me—in the best possible way! Fresh and exciting in its form, this play tells a story about two half-siblings discovering what family means to them. I loved every second of it. It's a must-see!

    I saw a reading of this play at Boston Court, and it completely wrecked me—in the best possible way! Fresh and exciting in its form, this play tells a story about two half-siblings discovering what family means to them. I loved every second of it. It's a must-see!

    ”
  • Hannah C Langley: Mama, I wish I were silver by Amanda L. Andrei
    “

    I saw a reading of this play at Boston Court, and it completely wrecked me—in the best possible way! Fresh and exciting in its form, this play tells a story about two half-siblings discovering what family means to them. I loved every second of it. It's a must-see!

    I saw a reading of this play at Boston Court, and it completely wrecked me—in the best possible way! Fresh and exciting in its form, this play tells a story about two half-siblings discovering what family means to them. I loved every second of it. It's a must-see!

    ”
  • Katherine Vondy: Mama, I wish I were silver by Amanda L. Andrei
    “

    Both ethereal and grounded, MAMA, I WISH I WERE SILVER explores the complex and poignant relationship between sisters, mothers, and daughters. What starts out as a simple premise--two sisters joining together to deal with their mother's artifacts--grows and expands to reveal so much more about history and family churning beautifully beneath the surface. A lovely play with deep and thought-provoking roles for its two actresses.

    Both ethereal and grounded, MAMA, I WISH I WERE SILVER explores the complex and poignant relationship between sisters, mothers, and daughters. What starts out as a simple premise--two sisters joining together to deal with their mother's artifacts--grows and expands to reveal so much more about history and family churning beautifully beneath the surface. A lovely play with deep and thought-provoking roles for its two actresses.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Panndora Productions, 2021
  • Commission, The Vagrancy, 2020

Awards

  • Jane Chambers Award for Feminist Playwriting
    Winner
    2022