Search ErieReader.com
DonateBest of Erie40 Under 40TicketsAdvertiseDistributionIssuesAboutContactEventsNewsletter
Close
Donate!
Best of Erie 2025
40 Under 40
The Reader Beat
Tickets
Newsletter Signup
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
City Guide
Events
Opinion
Features
Issues Archive
Events Calendar
Advertise
More
Arts & Culture
Business
Columns
Community
Environment
Film
From the Editors
Gem City Style
Local, Original Comics
Music Reviews
News & Politics
Recipes
Sports
Theater
Distribution Locations
About Us
Contact Us
Issue Archives
Internship Opportunities
Write for Us
Share:
TheaterSpotlight Events

Always Get a New Toilet Seat, and Other Things My Mother Taught Me

Katherine DiSavino's comedy, Things My Mother Taught Me, at All An Act Theatre, promises to be hilarious and heartwarming.

by Mary Birdsong
View ProfileTwitterRSS Feed
November 25, 2015 at 10:45 AM

Saturday, Nov. 28

Gabe and Olivia are moving into their first apartment when both sets of parents show up unexpectedly. What could go wrong? Delightfully, just about everything.

Katherine DiSavino's comedy, Things My Mother Taught Me, at All An Act Theatre, promises to be hilarious and heartwarming. As the four arrive to "help" the young couple start a new life in Chicago, they come armed with wisdom and cleaning supplies. Things go downhill fast, as possessions are lost and surprises ruined. Add in a building super who only understands English when it's convenient – and provides liquor at critical moments – and the stage is set for comedic errors laced with every parental gem of wisdom the elders have acquired about life and love.

The mothers fuss over cleaning and quiz Olivia about the relationship road ahead. The dads go on an odyssey, end up a bit tipsy, and give Gabe genuinely wise advice.

You will recognize, and laugh at, the classic parental clichés, but you will also see the screwy beauty of family. There's a happy ending here, of course, but the journey to it may have you both laughing and crying. – Mary Birdsong

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 // 652 West 17th St. // 450.8553 or 449.6554

gabeoliviakatherine disavinosthings my mother taught meall an act theatrecomedy

Featured Events

Today Tomorrow This Weekend

Medieval Night on the Patio ft. Midnight Frolic, Frogs I like, Mixxona and MORE!

Music
Jul. 18th, 7 PM

Bad Auditions by Bad Actors

Performing Arts
Jul. 18th, 7:30 PM

Felicity W/ Special Guests

Music
Jul. 19th, 6 PM

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

Music
Jul. 20th, 5 PM

Work In The Age Of AI: What's Changing, What's Not, And What Matters Most

Community & Causes
Jul. 20th, 6 PM to 7:30 PM

Submit Your Event   View Calendar

July 2026: 40 Under 40
Erie Reader: Vol. 16, No. 7
View Past Issues
In This Issue
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
« Download PDF
View Articles »
Erie Reader Best of Erie City Guide 2023-2024

Popular This Week

COVID-19 Cases Rise Slightly In Erie County, Across Country

xRepresentx, Vice, Counterfeit, Cop Torture at BT

Ludacris Shows Behrend Some Southern Hospitality

Best of Erie 2014 Finalists

Hangin' Out at the South Pier

Related Articles

Tracy Turnblad's Moves Aren't Bad!

by Cassandra Gripp7/15/2026, 8:00 AM
Award-winning musical Hairspray returns to Erie Playhouse

Bird of the Month: Gray Catbird

by Mary Birdsong7/14/2026, 9:00 AM
Birds that meow (and are sometimes legends)

An Interview with Harry Connick Jr.

by Larry Wheaton7/13/2026, 12:00 PM
A conversation ahead of his Chautauqua performance

Erie Reader Book Club: July 2026

by Ally Kutz7/13/2026, 8:00 AM
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Shore Thing: The 2026 Piping Plover Fest

by Liz Allen7/10/2026, 8:00 AM
Celebrate the return of a once-gone bird

Brooke Surgener and the Bandits Go All In

by Edwina Capozziello7/7/2026, 8:00 AM
Local indie favorite celebrates new EP release at King's Rook Club
Member of Reporters Shield
© 2026 Great Lakes Online Media
PO Box 10963  //  Erie, PA 16514
Terms of Use Privacy Policy