Posts by Breast in Show

Arts on the Green Sees Pink By Sharon Allen Gilder If the adage “Laughter is the best medicine” has merit, then everyone could use a dose of “Breast in Show.” The professional live stage musical opened Sept. 12 and runs through Sept. 27 at the Arts Barn in Kentlands as part of the newly formed Arts on the Green program that embraces the performing and visual arts at the Arts Barn and Kentlands Mansion. At first glance, there may appear to be a typographical error in the show’s clever name, but breast cancer is what it’s all about. Skeptics might view the title as irreverent, especially with its tag line, “the show that brings humor to the tumor.” However, there’s nothing cavalier about the intent or the message. Executive Producer Eileen Mitchard explained that...

Poignant. Sophisticated. Elevating. Witty. These are just some of the adjectives to describe Breast in Show, now appearing at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. First conceived in 2009 by Executive Producer Eileen Mitchard, it is a show designed to reach people far and wide, to educate and empower audiences about breast cancer and its “warriors.” A musical about breast cancer? Morbid? Absolutely not. It is a tasteful production that will move you and amuse you all at once. Mitchard astutely brings on Playwright Lisa Hayes and Composer and Lyricist Joan Cushing to write the book and to compose the score and they deliver a heartfelt and humorous and poignant book and score. Hayes and Cushing use the true stories of patients to craft the new story of five breast cancer...

Hip Shot: Breast in Show They say: Welcome to the “ChemoCafé,” where strangers become friends sharing an unforgettable journey of laughter and tears on the road to healing. Join these warriors on a life-affirming emotional rollercoaster in the musical one reviewer called the “tumor of humor”. Brett’s Take: How did this beat the odds and turn out to be really very good? It sounds like it will be a self-satisfied, preachy, television-special plate of theatrical margarine. Instead, it’s an honest, expertly constructed dish of… er… theatrical fruit compote, or marmalade, or something. You know, the good stuff. Surprisingly hearty and just sweet enough, with actual substance in it. Not to belabor the metaphor too much, but the point is that this is a...

Breast In Show is something of a different beast for the DC Fringe Festival, and on opening night you could see it in the composition of the audience: many older theater-goers, women and men in their 50’s-70’s, many survivors (or “warriors” as the show names them) of and supporters of those that have been diagnosed and undergone treatment for breast cancer. Some, if not many, may have lost loved ones to the disease. But they are one of the most vocal and passionate groups of medical advocates in the U.S. and this musical stands as proof. While the production may lean heavily towards pastiche and musical revue mannerisms, Breast In Show is telling a story that needs to be told and this cast makes sure you hear it loud and clear. The plot mainly follows three women...

Capital Fringe 2014 Review: ‘Breast in Show’ At last. A show that has taken the Capital Fringe Festival 2014 theme to heart: Move Me. Breast in Show, conceived and produced by Eileen Mitchard, is arguably the best titled and best marketed show in this season’s lineup. (Collecting Fringe buttons? Patrons get their own pink Breast in Show button to proudly pin to their chests.) It’s also likely the most aptly named, as it shall prove prophetic when it comes time to clinch the Best of Fringe.[spacer height=”10px”] A musical about cancer, you ask? Or as it’s billed: the musical that ‘puts humor in the tumor.’ When the six veteran thespians first hit their marks in various pink-splotched costumes to belt a brassy opener, you gotta wonder: To whom is this...