Photo courtesy of Jason Janik.
Filmmaker and director Del Shores is bringing the world premiere of Momma Won’t Die to North Texas.
The dark Southern comedy, inspired by true events, was written by Dallas actress and first-time playwright Patty Pell and her daughter Laurie Grigsby. The story follows three generations of Southern women navigating death, dysfunction and long-buried family tensions as their 108-year-old matriarch refuses to let go, according to the press release.
The script was developed through a workshop with Shores, who is best known for Sordid Lives, Southern Baptist Sissies and Showtime’s Queer as Folk, Dharma & Greg, and Ned & Stacey. Shores has earned honors including a GLAAD Award, NAACP Award, LA Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award, and The Chuck Rowland Pioneer Award from Celebration Theatre for his groundbreaking achievements in LGBTQ+ playwriting and arts advocacy.
“When Patty and Laurie shared this story with me, I immediately wanted to be part of bringing it to life, especially in North Texas,” Shores said in a press release. “Dallas has long been one of my favorite places for theater and one of my favorite cities to visit. There’s a real appreciation here for stories that are character-driven, emotional and unapologetically Southern, which makes this the perfect place for Momma Won’t Die to make its debut.”
The cast includes two Oak Cliff residents, Sally Soldo and Nancy Chartier, along with Katie King, Cynthia Louise Sanders, Nancy Chartier, Bruce Melena, Kishor Ryan, Cathy Fithian, Becca Spencer and Morgana Shaw. Shaw is appearing in the cast courtesy of the Actors’ Equity Association.
Momma Won’t Die runs June 12-28 at Bryant Hall in the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available now for $38.
