Attending a reading of The Matriarchs at the 2023 National Playwrights Conference, I got the sense that a young Liba Vaynberg must have practiced stenography, or possibly worn some sort of recording device—I see no other way that Liba the playwright could have captured the rhythms of adolescence so faithfully. Not since the Peanuts has a group of young theologians been rendered with this level of humor and wisdom. You’ll never listen to John Denver the same way again.

"The Matriarchs" is a stunning portrait of girls, womxn, mothers, and friends from a brilliant mind; a story made all the more universal because of its hyper specificity. Come for the girls arguing about Halachic law as it pertains to pimple popping, stay for the gorgeously observed nuances of growing up whilst female. I eagerly await seeing this play on stages soon.

Liba Vaynberg's The Matriachs is brilliant. This play unfolds like one of those too-short nights spent (lovingly) arguing with your friends about the mysteries and complexities of human life and existence. I got to see two readings of the play at O'Neill National Playwrights Conference and both times left the theatre a little smiley, a little in awe, and a little heartbroken thinking about what it means to be a human, a parent, a child, and a friend in a world that feels more uncertain by the hour. I'd love to see this play produced ASAP!