My Mother’s Severed Head

 My Mother’s Severed Head
Theatre Row
September 11, 2021 

Photo courtesy of My Mother's Severed Head

When you see a play entitled My Mother’s Severed Head, the first thought is to get a ticket.  The expectation is that it will be dark, funny, and haunted by guilt.  Playwright Charles Cissel’s play, now running at Theatre Row, meets and exceeds these expectations.  The story line entangles the characters on a journey to unburden their souls, and explodes in a celebration of freedom and reconciliation.

When Robert (played by Giancarlo Herrera) could not get the rights to produce one of Eugene O’Neill’s plays at his Mexican restaurant/theatre, he writes his own version using the characters.  Gabrielle (played by Katelyn Sparks) is the only actor who has not abandoned Robert and his project, but now she has to play the role of a man.  The alcoholic family of Robert’s O’Neil adaptation reflects his relationship with his father, Roberto (played by Luis Alberto Garcia), with one astounding addition.  Robert’s mother (played by Nana Ponceleon) was accidentally decapitated when she stuck her head out of the car window while her husband was driving.  Her severed head now rests on their Day of the Dead altar.  She is not fully dead, and longs to re-connect with her body.  They are not fully alive since they hold onto their unresolved feelings of death.  The pressure builds as the production of Robert’s play and the Day of the Dead celebration quickly approach. 

The chemistry between Giancarlo Herrera and Katelyn Sparks keeps the action of the story moving forward.  They each create characters who are driven by emotional loss and trauma.  Ms. Sparks’ character of Gabriella lost her father when she was ten years old.  She was not told about his death until weeks after it happened.  Mr. Herrera’s character of Roberto retrieved his mother’s severed head after she was decapitated.  These two actors find the core of their characters from these traumatic events, then play every touching moment and over the top laugh with serious intent. 

Luis Alberto Garcia is passionate and exuberant as Roberto, the father.  He is loud, overbearing, and constantly on the run from his emotions.  Nana Ponceleon has impeccable timing as Mother’s Severed Head.  Her presence is strongly felt, especially in her non-speaking scenes.  She pushes the characters together and brings the action of the story to a boisterous and celebratory conclusion. 

Photo courtesy of Theatre Row

Director Richard Caliban heightens the humor and timing, giving Mr. Cissel’s play the sharp and colorful production it deserves.  My Mother’s Severed Head is playing at Theatre Row through October 2.  

Domenick Danza