Breast In Show Musical Explores Personal Stories of Those Affected by Breast Cancer

Oct. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Breast In Show (www.breastinshow.org), the first original musical about the affects of breast cancer on patients, families, friends and the medical community, will debut Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15, 2011 at the Jewish Community Center Theatre in Rockville, Maryland.
   “This show was created from interviews and accounts of actual experiences,” says Eileen Mitchard.  “From the perspective of patients, families, doctors – all who are affected by this life-altering disease – captured in this 90-minute musical.”
   Executive produced by Mitchard, Breast in Show takes the audience on a roller coaster of emotions much like the disease itself.  A collaborative effort by four talented women, including the play’s writer, Lisa Hayes, director, Kathryn Chase Bryer and composer and lyricist Joan Cushing, The musical is intended to hit an emotional chord and galvanize audiences to believe that ‘we can, we must and we will eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime’ like no other medium has done before.
    A portion of the net proceeds from the debut performances will be donated to non-profits in the Metropolitan DC area that are serving people in treatment with essential services
   It took Mitchard two years of interviews to culminate in this production.  Surrounded by survivors, their families and their stories, she was compelled to compile and frame them with music as a catalyst for change and progress.
   “Everywhere I go I meet people who confide that they or someone in their life has been touched by breast cancer,” says Mitchard.  
   Breast in Show will play at the Kreeger Auditorium at the JCC of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD  20852. General admission is $50 and “Supporter” tickets are $99; the names of supporters (including logos and web addresses) will remain on the BIS website for one year.  One hundred percent of the net proceeds will be donated to three non-profits, Critters for the Cure (www.crittersforthecure.com), METAvivor (www.metavivor.org) and The Red Devils (www.the-red-devils.org). Tickets are available through www.brownpapertickets.com.
   To hear more from Eileen Mitchard directly, you may go to this You Tube link for a personal message.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2slIIxEAKck&feature=player...#!


   Executive Producer Eileen Mitchard began her theatrical journey when she was accepted to the Ruth M. Knight Summer Theatre Workshop for two years. She earned a degree in Speech and Drama from The Catholic University of America where she studied with the legendary Father Gilbert Hartke. For more than 30 years Eileen has been involved in theatre - as an actress, producer, teacher and director.  She is a founding member of the Innerloopers a political satire musical theatre group. She is especially known for her work with large diverse groups of amateur performers of all ages in an annual Spring Show in the Metropolitan DC area.
   Writer, Lisa Hayes, is an accomplished playwright and actress. She has toured her one-woman show of “Jane Eyre” nationally and internationally. After debuting her play "Nurse!" (based on interviews she did with nurses in New York) off-Broadway in 2003, she has performed the play throughout the U.S., as well as in Rome and Krakow. Lisa's other plays include Bedside Manners, From the Mountains of Mourne to the Mines of Montana, The Sad Sacks are Back, and The Trailer Park Diaries.
   Director Kathryn Chase Bryer is Imagination Stage's Associate Artistic Director. She has directed over 30 shows in the last 18 years, including Ferdinand the Bull, Lyle the Crocodile, Miss Nelson is Missing(2009 production with new script), Jungle Book, Junebug and the Reverend; Huck Finn's Story,Seussical, James and the Giant Peach and Charlotte's Web. This past summer, she directed GIRLS’PLAY as part of the Source Theatre 10 min. Play Festival. She is a former member of the Round House Touring Company, and for 10 years, was a Wolf Trap Artist for the Head Start Early Learning thru the Arts Program.
   Composer and Lyricist Joan Cushing is best known locally for her satirical political review, Mrs. Foggybottom & Friends.  More recently, she has adapted 9 popular children's books as musicals, receiving over 300 productions and 3 national tours. Recent adult works include a brand new script forTussaud, based on Madame Tussaud’s bloody pursuit of art; The Christmas Doll, 2007 National Youth Theatre Award for Outstanding New Play/Musical, world premiere Children’s Theatre of Charlotte; and Lizzie Bright & the Buckminster Boy,  First Stage Milwaukee, New Play Series.
   For more information on the world premiere of Breast in Show go to www.breastinshow.org or call 240.393.0695.

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