Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet Of Plays is in performances at The Flea through February 23.
By Yakov N. Weinberger
Last week, I went to see Maiden Mother Crone at The Flea, a two-part theatrical staging featuring Sugarcoated, written and performed by Jen Ponton, and The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her, written and performed by Deborah Unger. These two autobiographical one-act plays might seem distinct at first, but they are thematically intertwined, both exploring self-identity, self-image, and the expectations imposed by family, society, and the world at large. While they tell stories from different perspectives and experiences, ideas of femininity, sexuality, and the weight of parental influence connect them in surprising and meaningful ways.
Both performances rely on humor and wit to engage the audience, even as they tackle deeply personal and often painful subject matter. Sugarcoated follows Ponton’s journey toward love—not just in relationships but in learning to love herself. She recounts her experiences growing up, navigating trauma, and confronting the ways she has been shaped by parental expectations, romantic partners, and societal pressures. It doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, addressing abuse and emotional wounds with an honesty that makes certain moments hard to sit with. But despite these heavier elements, the show never feels bleak. Ponton’s humor and warmth keep the audience engaged, and by the end, it feels like a celebration of resilience and self-acceptance.
Unger’s The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her takes a more introspective, memory-driven approach. Through interwoven monologues, she reflects on her relationship with her mother, grappling with the ideas and expectations her mother left behind after her passing. The play plays out almost like a conversation between Unger and the voice of her mother in her head, shifting between past and present as she untangles the complicated emotions surrounding loss, legacy, and self-definition. While the title alone suggests a sense of irreverence, the piece is not about resentment—it’s about learning to understand, even after it’s too late for reconciliation. It’s a moving, layered performance that captures the way grief can evolve over time, revealing new layers of both pain and understanding.
Together, these two plays create a compelling and emotionally rich experience. They complement each other in ways that make Maiden Mother Crone feel like more than just a double feature—it’s a thoughtful exploration of how our identities are shaped by those around us and how we learn to define ourselves in response. If you enjoy intimate, personal storytelling that balances humor with deeply felt emotions, this is a show worth seeing.
Find more information and tickets HERE.
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