Mom, Are You There?

“Mom, Are You There?” is a raw, poignant exploration of a young woman’s struggle with identity, shame, and the familial bonds that shape her world. Set between her Hollywood and Pasadena homes, comedian Mary Basmadjian tells a deeply personal story of a chubby Armenian girl, raised in an immigrant household filled with the warmth and love of her grandparents, yet shadowed by the neglect and estrangement of her young mother. Growing up in a chaotic environment, Mary finds solace in a tight-knit group of destructive friends, Mary Jane, Edie, and Shame, who lead her through her most formative years, offering comfort in the form of rebellion and escapism.

The creative journey of shedding shame through her art has been both painful and liberating. “Mom, Are You There?” has lived in Mary’s heart for nearly a decade, and the opportunity to share it now is a testament to years of self-exploration and healing. With this show Mary aims to honor both the struggles and the triumphs that have shaped her path, while grounding herself in the homes – both real and emotional – that have formed her identity.