Donovan asked me on Tuesday if I would like to go see a play at the Arts Club Theatre Company on Granville Island called, Mom’s the Word: Remixed. The show looked like it would be a good laugh when I had a gander at their website, so I asked my friend Mel if she would like to join me the following night. To be honest, all I expected of the show was a group of women on the stage telling stories of their lives as moms, in a stand-up comedy format. This wouldn’t have been a bad thing, I do love comedy, but that’s just what I expected.

When we arrived at the theatre I was happy because there was great people watching. The audience was definitely artsy, which I love, so many women dressed in crazy opulent outfits with awesome hair. When the performance started, immediately I realized my expectations had been incorrect about the format of the show. It started with a musical number that was very creative and had the entire audience laughing. The laughing continued on from there, and only stopped for me at the intermission and at times where I shed a tear (well multiple).

There were 5 moms, all with different stories to tell, but the common bond of motherhood. Each woman was a unique character in the performance and had different experiences to share from their lives. All five women played off each other and as they told their stories the others listened, and lived the experiences through them, as did the audience. Through their interaction and understanding, you begin to realize the common link that exists between women once they have children. There is an inherent instinct that exists to care and protect for their kids, not matter what. With this caring comes a great deal of stress and hardship. This show helps you to realize why your moms acted as they did through all the years, scolding you, forgiving you, saying no to you. They just plain loved you more than anything else in the world.

Before the show, I did some reading and most the reviews were from moms expressing how they related to the stories of women. The whispering of the women around me proved this true, but it wasn’t just the moms who could relate. Everyone in the audience knew these stories and these 5 women on stage, as they were our moms. These are the wonderful women who raised us, were with us through all the good times and dealt with all our shit.

My face hurt throughout the performance because I laughed so hard. When I wasn’t laughing I was simply smiling, nodding my head, or crying. I would recommend you take your mom to this show, or at least suggest she goes if she has the opportunity. I would also recommend that everyone see this show. Not only is it a great laugh, it also helps you understand your childhood and your potential future as a parent. I left the show wanting to call my mom and tell her I love her, and am grateful for everything she’s done for me and been through.

These women are like your mom and may even know her. My friend Mel talked to her mom about the show shortly after and suggested she go. Her mom had actually seen the show in a previous running of it, loved it and randomly found herself in the show. There is a part in the performance where one of the moms tells a story of mean, crazy hockey parents yelling and complaining about her child the goalie. Turns out, Mel’s parents knew the actress on stage and realized they were the mean crazy parents. Whoopsies.

If you have the opportunity, you should go see this show. I loved it.

Warning, you may see some mommy nudity!

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