MOTHER’S SON is an attempt to trace the roots of violence in the pathologically possessive mother-son relationships that seem so prevalent in western society. Our culture tends to regard this kind of Oedipal mess, and the permanent inhibition it places on mature, life-giving sexual relationships, as “normal” and inevitable. But while this fine surreal psychodrama, played out over the kitchen table, exploits the familiar comedy of the nexus between mother, son and daughter-in-law, it pulls no punches in making the point that this kind of relationship is not funny, or cozy, or harmless; but deeply life-denying, implicitly violent, and a breeder of free-floating aggression on a horrific scale.
Mother’Son was named the Outstanding Play of 1993 by the Omaha World Herald.
Reviews
“This brief, surrealistic one-act explores a grown man’s conflicting feelings about his domineering mother with an intensity that borders on savagery.” -Tom Jacobs, Daily Variety, March 16, 1994. Los Angeles.
“Dark, hilarious, menacing and brilliantly performed, MOTHER’SON is an exaggerated theatrical rendering of a hundred stifling mother/son relationships.” –Stella Goormay, The Stage, September 21, 1995, Edinburgh Festival, Scotland.
“Barry’s fine surreal psychodrama, MOTHER’SON, pulls no punches in making the point that this kind of relationship is not funny, or cozy, or harmless, but deeply life-denying, implicitly violent, and a breeder of free-floating aggression on a horrific scale.” -Scotland On Sunday, Edinburgh Festival, August 13, 1995.
“Barry writes hilarious Joycean soliloquies and solipsistic arguments.” –Richard Stayton, Los Angeles Times, March 16, 1994.
“A brittle, brilliant script by Raymond J. Barry careens through a myriad of themes, constantly hurling disparate and distressing images at the audience.” -The Herald, Edinburgh Festival, August 30, 1995.
“MOTHER’SON has a rough energy and a dramatic punch that is undeniable, sort of a scream (sic) of consciousness unleashed, a study in contrived and deliberate terms – but fascinating, sweeping, and at once repulsive and erotic.” –James Metropole, The Movie Gazette, April 1994, Los Angeles.
“MOTHER’SON is one of the most delicious, if guilty, pleasures on a local stage.” -Rob Kendt, Back Stage West, March 17, 1994, Los Angeles.
“The play is a Joycean flight of words, full of free associations, abrupt turns, unexpected lulls, explosive humor.” -Jim Delmont, Omaha World – Herald, September 10, 1993.
“MOTHER’SON is a terrific play containing verbal gymnastics that are absolutely fantastic.” -BBC Radio, Edinburgh Festival, October 12, 1995.
“Raymond J. Barry’s soliloquies are poetic, conscious, and aware.” -Daniel Goldman, Independent, May 1994, Colorado Springs.
Productions
The World Premiere of Mother’Son was performed at the Omaha Magic Theatre in Omaha, Nebraska, in September, 1993. Artistic Directors were Joanne Schmidman and Megan Terry:
MOTHER Judy Jean Berns
SON Raymond J. Barry
WIFE Kim O’Kelley
DIRECTOR Bill Bushnell
Mother’Son was performed at the Met Theatre, Los Angeles, California, 1994, produced by Holly Hunter:
MOTHER Judy Jean Berns
SON Raymond J. Barry
WIFE Kim O’Kelley
DIRECTOR David Saint
ASST. Tom Draper
SET Yael Pardess
LIGHTING Rand Ryan
Mother’Son was performed at the Edinburgh Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 1994, Pleasance Theatre, produced by John Goodman and David Arrow:
MOTHER Judy Jean Berns
SON Raymond J. Barry
WIFE Kim O’Kelley
DIRECTOR David Saint
DESIGN Markus Maurette
Mother’Son was performed at Smokebrush Center For the Arts, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1993:
MOTHER Judy Jean Berns
SON Raymond J. Barry
WIFE Kim O’Kelley
DESIGN Markus Maurette
DIRECTOR David Saint
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Tom Draper
Mother’Son was performed at the Open Fist Theatre Company in Los Angeles, California, July-August 2001. Martha Demson, Artistic Director:
MOTHER Laura James
SON Jon Stafford
WIFE Terri Smith
DIRECTOR Russell Milton
STAGE MANAGER Hillary Holt
COSTUME DESIGNER Van Ramsey
