I’m Mom

Show Information

When he was 18, Nate’s mother, Marcia Adler, died of breast cancer (he swears this show is funny). She was a beloved therapist in Chicago—brilliant, generous, artistic, and all around magic wizard lady. There was almost nothing she couldn’t do. Except for one thing: she never told anyone she was dying. Ultimately no one got to grieve with her. No one got to say goodbye. Years later, Nate’s therapist suggested Gestalt Therapy—specifically Fritz Perls’ “empty chair” technique. A role-playing exercise where you speak to someone who’s gone and then respond as them. This would be a way to explore everything that went unsaid. Nate said, “Absolutely not.” Years later Nate studied acting and realized he’d been learning the same skill in a different language: how to step into another person truthfully. In this solo show, Nate uses performance as a doorway into grief—embodying his mother, confronting what was never spoken, and trying to understand what kept this extraordinary woman silent about her own mortality. It’s a show about love, loss, and the strange, healing power of playing pretend as he attempts the greatest role of his life: his mom.

Greenhouse Theater Center - 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Buy Tickets

When would you like to attend this show?

Thursday, Apr 2

8:00pm
$15

Friday, Apr 3

8:00pm
$15

Saturday, Apr 4

8:00pm
$15

Sunday, Apr 5

3:00pm
$15