I sat in the dark and watched Melissa in the spotlight tell her story and I marveled at the sheer guts and immense talent it took to do this right. When it was over I felt changed. Opened up. Exhilarated and exhausted. What I felt was nothing short of awe.
In September 2012, Melissa Bangs gave birth to her beautiful daughter. A month later, dramatically sleep deprived, she is admitted to the psych ward. After nearly a month, she is sent home with a bipolar diagnosis and on lithium. What comes next is an extraordinary journey.
On her path back to wholeness, Bangs read her entire hospital record. Somewhere, around page 87, there is a nurse's note reads, "Patient says she will do comedy on this experience." Upon reading this, Bangs laughed out loud. The psych team couldn't have possibly known that Bangs did comedy for a stint, as a student, at NYC's Upright Citizens' Brigade. They couldn't have known that transforming details from the most painful experience of her life into a room full of laughter would prove healing for thousands. Join Melissa for an evening of true stories full of bewilderment, chaos and hilarity. Bangs has a knack for telling true stories that cut to the bone of our shared, vulnerable human condition. Her true gift, however, comes in the moments in which she's able to strip away the shame or agony of an experience and transform the room into an uproar of laughter.Coming off a Year-Long West Coast Tour with Sold Out Venues in LA and Seattle!!!
A True Tale of Motherhood, Madness and the Journey Home. May 17th- 19th, 7PM and May 20th, 2PM. Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre TICKETS, TRAILER and MORE : http://www.playingmonopolywithgod.com
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