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Home Becomes Stage: A Pandemic Memoir Musical
18 Mar
Summary
- Musical chronicles the Bengsons' lockdown in Vermont.
- Features anthemic songs and raw, personal stories.
- Adapted from a YouTube piece into a live production.
The musical "My Joy Is Heavy" by Abigail and Shaun Bengson offers a full-scale production of their deeply personal memoir.
The show is set in a replica of an old Vermont house, which served as the Bengsons' home during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
Adapted from a 2021 YouTube piece, this in-person production at New York Theater Workshop includes integrated access tools and audience interaction.
Directed by Rachel Chavkin, the Bengsons use anthemic songs and live video capture to share intimate stories of chronic illness, depression, and loss.
The production aims to capture the homespun spirit of creations made during lockdown, with a set that never shifts, immersing the audience in the Bengsons' pandemic experience.
