Every gay guy has his diva—Madonna, Janet, Britney, Bey, Gaga—but New York City comedian Michael John Ciszewski’s has always been Sophie, his mother.

She’s a nurse, a mystic, and a loudmouth Jersey girl who loves Bruce Springsteen almost as much as she loves her idiot son. And now, Michael John’s on a mission to

make her immortal.

In this raucous, ritual hour of comedy, Michael John petitions the Vatican to canonize his living mother as a saint. Part stand-up special, part storytelling séance, part unholy game show, MOTHER, SUPERIOR! sees Michael John plead his case before God, the Pope, and a congregation of audience members who cheer him on as he proves Sophie’s sainthood one sacreligious, sensational story at a time.

Will the Church see the light? Will Sophie make the cut? Does God even take calls from gay guys? From childhood punishments to adult interventions—with a little help from cultural icons like Ashlee Simpson and Arthur the Aardvark—MOTHER, SUPERIOR! is a riotous celebration of resilience, the messy, miraculous ways we build our own legacies, and a mother who taught her son to lead with his heart, whether he likes it or not.

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MOTHER, SUPERIOR

created and performed by Michael John Ciszewski
directed by Noah Simes

photography by @iAmZekeD (promotional),
Henrik Sym & Brian Dudley (production)