Mala

By: Melinda Lopez

Narrated by: Melinda Lopez

An utterly unsentimental journey toward the end of life, Mala is an irreverent exploration of how we live, cope, and survive in the moment. Grounded in distinctive emotional language and sharp humor, this powerful one-woman show written and performed by Melinda Lopez (Sonia Flew) dances between a mother’s growing frailty and a daughter’s quest for grace—all set during an epic Boston winter. Rather than depict a right way, the play opens the door for conversation regarding our universal struggle to support those we love in dying, especially when all we’ve ever focused on is surviving.

Funny, brutally honest, and ultimately cathartic, Mala—which won the Elliot Norton Award for Best New Play in 2017—puts a sharp focus on what it means to put our loved ones first, right to the very end, and what happens when we strive to be good but don’t always succeed.

Mala was written with the support of the Mellon Foundation’s National Playwright Residency Program, administered in partnership with Howlround. Mala was originally produced by Arts Emerson. Special thanks to P Carl, David Dower, Peter DuBois and the Huntington Theatre Company.

Experience this title in immersive 3D audio by setting your download quality to High within the app. Headphones recommended. For more, browse our entire collection of 3D audio listens.

©2019 Melinda Lopez (P)2019 AO Media LLC

authentic

very well done.... no matter your background, you will get this. everyone has someone that you love and they will transition., and you will feel all the feelings. Great story.

Human

This was really good. I enjoyed listening to the thoughts of the author. I like the ramblings and stories all the like. I sent this book to a friend who is taking care of her mother. It made me remember my grandmother taking care of her elderly relatives as well as my mother taking care of her parents and then I and my sister taking care of her. I appreciate this book.

A Must Read

Originally written for the theater, this audio book is a must read for anyone caring for a loved one at the end of life.

Thanks for creating art from such a challenging circumstance

I cared for both of my parents during their last 5 years. While it was a honor and an opportunity for reconciliation and sharing love from the deepest part of our hearts, it was also extremely difficult, frustrating, and maddening. Not only because of trying to reason with people who are literally losing their minds but also because of our health care system and doctors who are uncomfortable or unskillful in values relating to quality versus quantity of life. Your work along with Atul Gwande’s ‘being mortal’ and Katy Butlers “knocking on heavens door ‘ is a must read if for no other reason—to realize we’re not alone and not going crazy ourselves! Thanks for this beautiful play!!

So Relatable!

I loved this! it was like quietly revisiting the end of my own mother's passing. Poignant and sweet.

Short Read/Listen

The emotion the author puts into this production will well up inside. I recommend to listen with tissues in hand. Emotional, riveting, draws you in and takes you to her world.

Goes deep.

Very personal and real. The relationships and family dynamics are deeply felt. Thank you. for sharing.

Real.

Funny moments with real emotion....real events...real thoughts. This captures moments of regret and brokenness. Relatable.

Lovingly written

True, honest,full of heart, and authentic. Listen with your own story and cast in mind.

Meh...

I wanted to love this book. Perhaps it is unpopular to say, but I do not speak Spanish and it would’ve been nice to have had the Spanish translated somehow. Some of it I could understand by context clues.

The good cop bad cop routine got tiresome. I think the author believes the reader has more in common then the reader really does.

I was hoping for something uplifting and what I got was a story that wasn’t very interesting.