Emily Fontano in Against Her Wishes at Orlando Fringe Credit: Courtesy Photo

Walking through the doors of the Brown Venue, I’m greeted with organ music and a slideshow chronicling what seems to be most of one woman’s life. I’m also thanked by a woman wearing all black for “being here.” Soon, writer, director and star Emily Fontano walks in and I learn I’m at her mother’s funeral, where I am apparently a guest. I also find out why the show is called Against Her Wishes: That’s because Fontano’s mother, Janet, wrote in her will that she didn’t want a funeral but rather a nice dinner with friends and good music. 

“You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon plays, a song Janet had on her funeral playlist. Fontano proceeds to dance quite animatedly until the end of the song. She goes through Janet’s childhood and up until Janet had children herself, then plays “Baby Mine” — not from Dumbo but rather a version sung by Bette Midler and taken over by Fontano. 

As Fontano continues to speak on her mother’s life, we find out more about Janet’s flaws and triumphs. Throughout there are also slideshows of photos from her mother’s life that correlate to the time periods Fontano talks about. It truly is heartfelt, and we see how much Fontano’s mother meant to her. Still, the show is quite fun as Fontano takes an interactive approach to the audience as if we are guests at the funeral and even knew her mother personally. 

This show contains a nice blend of laughter and tears. After this, I think I finally understand what Nicole Kidman meant by “heartbreak feels good in a place like this.” 

So What? Who Cares? Productions (Orlando, FL)
Brown Venue, Lowndes Shakespeare Center
60 minutes; 18 and up
Tickets: $15

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This article appears in Orlando Fringe 2026.