Mountain Mamas

by Daryl Lisa Fazio

Patsy Armstrong is a coal miner. Just like her daddy, Earl. And just like her mother, Wanda, who, at 60 years old, is still there. As of this week, Patsy’s back in her mother and daddy’s house, after a mining accident that left her with no ability to move or communicate. Her bright 18-year old daughter, Livvy, now lives there too. In a home that’s full of humor and generosity and rowdiness and grit. But a home...

Patsy Armstrong is a coal miner. Just like her daddy, Earl. And just like her mother, Wanda, who, at 60 years old, is still there. As of this week, Patsy’s back in her mother and daddy’s house, after a mining accident that left her with no ability to move or communicate. Her bright 18-year old daughter, Livvy, now lives there too. In a home that’s full of humor and generosity and rowdiness and grit. But a home—not to mention a whole dang planet—that’s under more pressure than maybe it’s ever been. When the family gets news about the settlement from Patsy’s accident, Livvy jumps into the fray. And Patsy, now forced to listen and observe more than she ever did as a healthy person, is plagued by nightmares and revelations she’s able to share only with us. In this story of resilience and redemption, it doesn’t take long for her to realize she has to learn a new way of being if she’s gonna save her entire world.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

Mountain Mamas

Recommended by

  • Lauren Searl: Mountain Mamas

    Absolutely beautiful, with amazing characterization.

    Absolutely beautiful, with amazing characterization.

  • Audrey Cefaly: Mountain Mamas

    Saw a reading of this piece at Florida Rep PlayLab. Tightly-drawn character study. Bold and self-assured, Fazio knows about the power of distillation.

    Saw a reading of this piece at Florida Rep PlayLab. Tightly-drawn character study. Bold and self-assured, Fazio knows about the power of distillation.

  • Jason Parrish: Mountain Mamas

    Florida Rep was happy to showcase Daryl's work again in our 2023 PlayLab Festival. Mountain Mamas looks at a specific subset of southern women - coal miners in West Virginia. She tackles a huge issue with heart and humor (as always with Daryl). She makes you cry and laugh and shines a light on the special bonds between mothers and daughters. I highly recommend considering this play for your theatre and the actresses in your circle of artists.

    Florida Rep was happy to showcase Daryl's work again in our 2023 PlayLab Festival. Mountain Mamas looks at a specific subset of southern women - coal miners in West Virginia. She tackles a huge issue with heart and humor (as always with Daryl). She makes you cry and laugh and shines a light on the special bonds between mothers and daughters. I highly recommend considering this play for your theatre and the actresses in your circle of artists.

View all 7 recommendations

Development History

Production History

Awards

  • Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights
    Barter Theatre
    Selection
    2021
  • National Playwrights Conference
    O'Neill Theatre Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2021
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Finalist
    2021