Maria Grazia Affinito shared her story of her contentious relationship she had with her mom in the red venue at this year’s Fringe. Her mother actually tries to sell Maria off in the supermarket. Maria’s imitation of her mom’s mannerisms and speech were hilarious. Once while watching a documentary about the atrocities of WWII, her mom grew silent. Maria realizes that her mom must have been raped in the war. She then recounts how the smell of cold cement could bring her right back to a horrible incident involving four boys.
The way Maria recounted and acted out every incident with her mom was heart warming and humerus. This was a mother daughter relationship that had endured many knocks. There were times when Maria literally wanted to kill her mom and it took the soothing reassurances of a relative to keep the peace. This relationship stood up to the test of time and trials. There was plenty of laughter and some sadness and when it was all told, the audience stood and applauded.