Mounting Washington: The Story of a Mountain & a Miracle
- Caitlyn Fox
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Penny Sterling's latest one-woman show, Mounting Washington: The Story of a Mountain & a Miracle, is heartfelt and motivating. Her story tells of challenges, doubt and triumph.
Penny Sterling welcomes the audience to her show, already peddling away on the stage, as Linsey Rogers provides musical accompaniment, something she continues to do for the entirety of the show. Sterling tells us all that this show is, in fact, not about being trans but instead about her second interesting life (of the four she's had and continues to live); a life where a depressed, divorced, and struggling dad finds the strength to unlearn their "terminal ennui" and does something incredible. She brings us into significant moments during this difficult time in her life. Specific moments include meeting her therapist, making new friends and taking up biking. She shares about her relationship with God, breaking down what she hopes for in a divine being and redefining what "God help me" means to her. One spiritual moment she mentions is when she hears a voice in her head after reconnecting with an old friend, beckoning her to do the 7.6-mile, 12-degree uphill Mt. Washington Auto Road Hill Climb. For the rest of the show, we follow Sterling's three-year journey as she works toward an endeavor she feels is impossible and will most likely fail while riding her bike for the entire show!
Sterling tells this story with off-beat humor and silly songs, allowing the audience to settle into the discomfort of the complex and real feelings while balancing it with kazoos and quick-witted barbs. It is truly an incredible feat to watch Sterling peddle and prattle away, only occasionally having Bri Landrum, the show's stage manager, bring her a towel.
Sterling's eventual climb is one to behold, raising her bike in the air to show us what 12 degrees and then, eventually, what 22 degrees truly looks like on the back of a bike. I could feel the tears rolling down my face as she shared her final moments in the race, the other bikers who had already completed cheering her on, her good friend and children waiting for her at the top, and, of course, the miracle. Sterling had spoken a lot about miracles throughout the show, from begging God to fix everything wrong with her life to fixing the deepest, darkest secrets she never spoke aloud to herself. She affirms to the audience throughout the show that "miracles come for those who do the work," and Penny does.
Mounting Washington: The Story of a Mountain & a Miracle is a miraculous and funny show. Sterling proves she is stronger than all her doubts, capable of overcoming challenges, and it is never too late to change your life.
Written, Performed, & Produced by Penny Sterling
Music by Linsey Rogers
Vocals by Bri Landrum
April 5, 2025
instagram.com/pennysterling
threads.net/@pennysterling
March 18 through April 20, 2025
Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, NYC)
Caitlyn Fox (she/her/hers) is a Wichita-based actress, singer, writer, dancer, future clown, and all-around theatre enthusiast! She graduated from Friends University in December 2022 with University Honors and a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. From her nationally recognized senior recital to her international training at Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy, Caitlyn always strives to bring a level of authenticity to her work both behind the table and on stage. She is very excited to be part of her first United Solo season as a Festival Representative and Reviewer. www.caitlynbfox.com
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