Flashback Theater Co. (FbTC) presents the Kentucky premiere of Mountain Mamas, a new play by Daryl Lisa Fazio. Drawing inspiration from the stories of mining families, Mountain Mamas tells the story of three generations of Appalachian women. The play explores both what coal has given our region, and what it has taken away. Directed by FbTC Producing Artistic Director Sommer Winstead, Mountain Mamas will run October 29 – November 8, 2026 at the Somerset First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Downtown Somerset.
Plot of Mountain Mamas
In Mountain Mamas, headstrong Patsy finds her world ineffably changed by a coal mining accident that’s left her with no ability to move or communicate. She’s moved back in with her parents, Wanda and Earl, who she is now completely dependent on. Her daughter, Livvy, at the precipice of high school graduation, is struggling to decide whether to follow the path of her mother (and her mother’s mother) before her in the mines, or do something entirely new. Patsy, now forced to listen and observe more than she ever did as a healthy person, is plagued by nightmares and revelations she’s able to share only with us. In this story of resilience and redemption, it doesn’t take long for her to realize she has to learn a new way of being if she’s gonna save her entire world.
“Mountain Mamas is a well-written play with characters that embody the people I grew up knowing and being inspired by,” says Director Sommer Winstead, “Appalachia has a stereotype of being full of lazy do nothing people but in my experience, our community is full of just the opposite: people who are fiercely proud of their self-sustaining work ethic.”
Winstead notes that the script touches on local topics of conversations about our rural economy; what job opportunities exist in our region, and how those jobs affect families. “What happens to the families in industry towns if coal goes away? What options do they have?” she asks, referencing how labor choices are made for us. She relates this to how Patsy, our leading lady, becomes disabled in an instant, “Many of us work under the assumption that we are able to continue what we’re doing indefinitely. But we are all at risk of having that privilege taken away from us.”
Cast and Crew of Mountain Mamas
The small but mighty cast of Mountain Mamas includes two Flashback veterans and two debut performances. Allison Wynn, in her Flashback debut, plays the headstrong Patsy. Joining her onstage will be Ruby Harrison as Livvy, Beth Foster as Wanda, and Zachary Vaught as Earl.
Under the direction of Sommer Winstead, the production team includes Set & Costume Designer Todd Chrisman and Lighting & Sound Designer Israel Rains. Joshua West serves as Stage Manager.
About the Venue
This production will take place in a new venue for Flashback; the Fellowship Hall at Somerset First United Methodist Church. Designer Todd Chrisman has ambitious plans to create an atmospheric environment that will make audiences feel they themselves are at the mouth of a mine. Free parking is available across the street from the venue.
Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, October 29th, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30th, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 1st, 2:30 p.m.
Friday, November 6th, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 7th, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 8th, 2:30 p.m.
Ticket Information
Purchase online at this link or by visiting the box office in person at 209A E Mount Vernon St. during office hours, or by calling the box office at (888) 394-3282, ext. 1. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p. M.
Single ticket pricing for the 13th Season of Flashback productions is:
Adults – $23 Advance, $25 Door
Students – $12 Advance, $15 Door
Seniors – $20 Advance and Door
Sponsors
Mountain Mamas is brought to you by our generous season sponsors.
Flashback Theater Co. is grateful to our 2026-27 Starlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral Advancements, The City of Somerset, Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, and The Shubert Foundation. Spotlight Sponsors: M&W Printing and Kentucky Arts Council; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: David Daring Rentals, First & Farmers National Bank, The Weigel Family, United Cumberland Bank, T. Ronald Kidd Trust, and Somerset Community College.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to Flashback Theater Co. with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.