Review by Hunter King
Michael John Ciszewski may be the ultimate mama’s boy, which he proves in his hilarious, yet poignant, show Mother, Superior. The show is an ultimate mix up between storytelling and stand-up, as Ciszewski recalls stories from his childhood and the life of his mother, making a case for the audience (and Luigi, the Pope’s right-hand man, played by Gianmarco Soresi) to elevate her status to sainthood.
Ciszewski finds an immediate tone with the audience, letting them know that he is here to be persuasive, mostly through the pathos of his own feelings towards his mother. Delving through mostly positive stories of his childhood, Ciszewski is able immediately to prove himself likeable. As the stories continue, he leans further into the ethos of his mother’s miracle work, telling how she began her career as a registered nurse (a title that she makes sure everybody knows she has) at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City.
Ciszewski is not afraid of tackling sensitive subjects, and does so with tact, humility, and a clear overarching sense of empathy. It is not often that comedy makes an audience feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but Ciszewski does so with ease, providing a sense of comfort even when addressing topics like terrorism, alcoholism, and homophobia.
Throughout the show Ciszewski shares how he was able to embrace his Queer identity and overcome personal struggles of self doubt and addiction, largely through the support of his mother. While his impression of his New Jersey mom is often funny, the show holds a poignant and meaningful message that is especially important for Queer audiences, but also for general audiences to hear.
Perhaps the biggest triumph of the show is that, whether you believe in sainthood or any other religious recognition, it is clear that Sophie Ciszewski, while maybe not yet a saint, is by all means a hero.
Triumph of a Show
Michael John Ciszewski: Mother, Superior runs Venue 49, Auditorium at Bedlam Theatre at 14:00
Running time – Sixty minutes
Review by Hunter King (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Hunter is a 2024 Master’s graduate of the University of Edinburgh and current doctoral candidate with a thesis focused on experimental theatre in Edinburgh. He has been a theatre practitioner for over a decade having worked in many capacities including as a director, actor, stage manager, front of house manager, and technician as well as others. Prior to moving to Edinburgh, Hunter was a high school English teacher in the United States. His passion for the written word as well as his passion for live performance are what motivated him to become a writer for this publication.
