Mother Of

by Katherine Gwynn

Marian is visited by a Marian Apparition (just call her Mary, thanks) who tells them to write a play about the Blessed Virgin considering an abortion. Miryam is visited by the angel Gavri'el, who tells her she's to bear the son of God. And pomegranates keep fruiting up all around, asking them to choose.

A play about abortion, divine visions, mommy issues, daddy issues, the inherent homoeroticism of Catholic...

Marian is visited by a Marian Apparition (just call her Mary, thanks) who tells them to write a play about the Blessed Virgin considering an abortion. Miryam is visited by the angel Gavri'el, who tells her she's to bear the son of God. And pomegranates keep fruiting up all around, asking them to choose.

A play about abortion, divine visions, mommy issues, daddy issues, the inherent homoeroticism of Catholic Ritual, iced coffee, and above all--choice.

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Mother Of

Recommended by

  • Patrick Vermillion: Mother Of by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    A play that responds and defines our current moment - it is contemporary but not reactionary. A play about religion that finds fresh relevance and intriguing questions within centuries of tradition. It is emotional and gripping but not without moments of humor and lightness. Katherine's writing is so clear and defined it's impossible to not envision the beauty that is bound to emerge from a fully realized production. The kind of play we all yearn to see - where the conversations afterwards are just as thrilling and compelling as the time we spent with the performance.

    A play that responds and defines our current moment - it is contemporary but not reactionary. A play about religion that finds fresh relevance and intriguing questions within centuries of tradition. It is emotional and gripping but not without moments of humor and lightness. Katherine's writing is so clear and defined it's impossible to not envision the beauty that is bound to emerge from a fully realized production. The kind of play we all yearn to see - where the conversations afterwards are just as thrilling and compelling as the time we spent with the performance.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Mother Of by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    An achingly, beautiful play about making art, divine intervention and the power of free will. This is a play that needs to be produced. A play that will be talked about for a long time.

    An achingly, beautiful play about making art, divine intervention and the power of free will. This is a play that needs to be produced. A play that will be talked about for a long time.

    ”
  • Joe Zarrow: Mother Of by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    I was lucky enough to get to see a reading of this in Chicago this past week. Visionary, daring, beautiful, thought-provoking.

    I was lucky enough to get to see a reading of this in Chicago this past week. Visionary, daring, beautiful, thought-provoking.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

MARY— once a human woman who saw her and God’s son die for the sins of the world. Now an Apparition that appears to MARIAN. Often holding back an eye roll. She/her. 30s-40s. Sephardic/Mizrahi Jew and/or MENA.

MIRYAM— currently a human woman who is supposed to become the Mother of God. Not quite an apparition, but not quite herself either. Often holding back a scream. She/her. 20s/30s. Sephardic/Mizrahi Jew and/or MENA.

MARIAN-a genderqueer/GNC/non-binary human woman who is trying to write a play about the Virgin Mary considering an abortion. Doesn’t really know who they are, right now. Often holding back themself. They/She. Late 20s/30s.

GAVRIʾEL, —an archangel. The archangel, really, fully aware of their strange divinity. Often holding back their want. He/they. Trans man/trans masc.
  • MARY
    once a human woman who saw her and God’s son die for the sins of the world. Now an Apparition that appears to MARIAN. Often holding back an eye roll. She/her.
    30s-40s
    Sephardic/Mizrahi Jew and/or Arab or SWANA PoC.
    Cis Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • MIRYAM
    currently a human woman who is supposed to become the Mother of God. Not quite an apparition, but not quite herself either. Often holding back a scream. She/her.
    20s-30s
    Sephardic/Mizrahi Jew and/or Arab or SWANA PoC.
    Cis Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • MARIAN
    a genderqueer/GNC/non-binary human woman who is trying to write a play about the Virgin Mary considering an abortion. Doesn’t really know who they are, right now. Often holding back themself. They/She.
    20s-30s
    Any race/ethicity
    non-binary woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • GAVRIʾEL
    an archangel. The archangel, really, fully aware of their strange divinity. Often holding back their want. He/they.
    any age
    Any race / ethnicity
    trans man/trans masc
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, The Once and Future Festival, 2023

Awards