Shay Mace
Self-described ingéjew (Jewish Ingénue), Actor and Musical Comedian Abby Goldfarb is heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with her autobiographical show Most of My Moms Are Gay – a story born out of an identity crisis seeing Abby realise she is the same age as when her Mom had her, or, to put it correctly, her 5 mothers, most of whom are lesbians. Abby has put pen to paper with co-composer Jody Shelton to bring her career and identity crisis to light against the backdrop of her unique childhood.
We caught up with Abby for a pixelated pint to find out more about creating musical comedy from your own life story, what it’s like to grow up with 5 Moms, and what it felt like to come out as straight to them.
You can catch Most of My Moms Are Gay in the Sprout Studio at Greenside @ George Street on August 7th – 29th at 18:25 (50 min). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Shay: Hi Abby! Your upcoming EdFringe musical comedy explores Abby’s identity crisis, and being the daughter of 5 (mostly lesbian) mothers – tell us about creating autobiographical theatre and why you decided to bring the story to the stage in this musical form.
Abby: Hi Shay! I’ve always been the girl with a lot of moms – my go-to “fun fact.” My family and friends have been telling me to write a show about it for years but I didn’t have the “WHY NOW?” Once I reached my 30’s and experienced career heartbreak, I started reexamining my life and priorities and I knew it was time to write the show. I teamed up with my incredible co-composer Jody Shelton and director Eddie and decided to take some control over my own career!
Shay: How has the creative process been of putting the show together? Give us an idea of the journey you’ve been on with it so far.
Abby: I started by writing the songs with Jody because I had a clear vision for our first song. I knew I wanted a song where I come out to my moms… as straight. From there, we would have pitch sessions, I would go home and write lyrics, and then improvise with Jody on keys to find the melody, chorus, hooks etc. Once we had created 13 songs, I began writing the book of the show, working with Eddie to nail down the structure and what we want to leave the audience with – what are we really trying to say with the show. It been an ongoing discovery process!
Shay: What will be the first thing the audience sees, feels, and hears as they enter the space?
Abby: They will walk into an intimate 21 seat theatre space, sit down on hopefully the most comfortable lounge chairs they have ever felt (just kidding, it is Fringe, they will probably be plastic), as they see me alone at a mic stand singing my up tempo opening number “Most of My Moms Are Gay.” They will feel like we are having a conversation between close friends – or a group therapy session where only I share.
Shay: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Abby: I would love the audience to come out of the show feeling like they just saw something original, funny, and raw. I hope they relate to the struggle to find fulfillment, joy, and self worth despite what the world throws at us. If I do my job right, they should laugh, cry, and feel hopeful.
Shay: What journey has the show been on to find itself at EdFringe 2026?
Abby: I started writing the show in the beginning of 2024 and have had two industry preview performances at Caveat NYC to help develop and raise money to bring it to EdFringe. The goal has always been to bring it to Fringe and then back to NYC, London, or tour the show to a wider audience!
Shay: With EdFringe now just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
Abby: I am most excited to be immersed in what feels like expensive adult theatre camp for an entire month! To be able to perform my show for three weeks in a row and get feedback from all different types of audiences and people from around the world is such a privilege. Plus, I can’t wait to watch other shows and get inspired.
Shay: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Abby: A fruity protein smoothie. Strawberry/banana for the fun + childhood nostalgia. Protein because it has to stay strong and fit to be a solo musical. It’s filling and nutritious because it covers a lot of topics. Plus, singing requires HYDRATION!
A reminder, you can catch Most of My Moms Are Gay in the Sprout Studio at Greenside @ George Street on August 7th – 29th at 18:25 (50 min). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
