Momma Won’t Die, co-written by mother-daughter duo Patty Pell and Laurie Pell Grigsby, is a triumph for the independent play industry. Having had its preview showing on June 10, tickets for their opening weekend on the Kalita Humphreys Theater campus were sold out. The play is a delightful look into reconciliation, grief, and honoring those we love.
The play, directed by Del Shores, was developed alongside Pell and takes place in the southern home of Miss Gigi, played by the wonderful Sally Soldo, in her final days before she passes. Soldo fills the role of Grace Pell, Patty’s mother, and along with her daughter Jamie (Morgana Shaw) and Libby (Nancy Chartier) make up the trinity and beating heart of the production.
Momma Won’t Die is a dark comedy, filled with crass humor and jabs at the Pells’ way of life. It never ceases to make you chuckle at the lengths this family, and their caretaker, Ruby (Katie King), will go to take care of their sickly mother and friend.
Taking place in a recreation of Pells’ childhood home, designed by Kevin Brown, the set makes for a quirky character. Filled with furniture and clutter from the real house, from the real painting on the wall to Grace’s porch chair, it is lovingly handled with care and respect for the messy relationship the Pells had.
From neglect on Miss Gigi’s behalf, to generational trauma thrust upon Libby during her grandma’s final days, Momma Won’t Die acts as a daughter’s final thank you to the flawed, stubborn, but lovable woman who made her who she is, and the real story that brought her and her daughter closer than ever.
Momma Won’t Die is a beautiful, eternal resting place for not just Pell’s own mother, but anyone who can relate to the struggles of seeing a loved one pass.
Momma Won’t Die plays at Bryant Hall on the Kalita Humphreys Theater campus until June 28. Tickets are $38, and the play’s runtime is approximately two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
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