Breast in Show: entertainment with a big purpose

Eileen Mitchard, producer of Breast in Show, and me visiting while I was in DC

A while back I answered a query looking for breast cancer survivors to share their stories for a unique theatrical and musical production called Breast in Show. The show’s producer, Eileen Mitchard, told me snippets of stories would be read by actors, so mine would remain anonymous. So I let it all go, sharing with her the most intimate details of my journey.

I had the opportunity to meet Eileen in person when our family went to DC for spring break.  She told me with great passion about the show, which will premier in DC, October 15 and 16, and will raise money for breast cancer organizations in the area. The show, which includes orignal music and stories representing survivors, physicians, and family members. Eileen tells me she modeled after the popular show, The Vagina Monologues.

I got caught up in her enthusiasm and the show’s mission. By the end of the conversation, I was ready to go march on Washington! But my family and I didn’t get any farther than the Smithsonian. {:)

Eileen plans to take the show on the road throughout the country, raising money and hope for the cause. Here’s some snippets of our amazing conversation:

I want the show to be the match that strikes the wildfire that says “We can, we must, and we will eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime.” In the 20th century, we eliminated tuberculosis and smallpox, put men on the moon and transformed AIDS from a death sentence to a manageable disease.  I think we can do the same for breast cancer.

My hope for the show is that we can help create a groundswell where people will work together to make this a reality. Together there is nothing we can ‘t do.  AIDS became so terrifying to everyone that all of those agencies got together and said, “We have to do something about this now.” They short-circuited plans and made it happen. Nobody has put a stake in the ground like that to end breast cancer. We can’t just say, it’s great you survived. No person should have to travel down that trail.

My ultimate dream is to take this show to Broadway. I intend to do the show until there is no longer a need for it.

To learn more and purchase tickets, go to http://www.breastinshow.org/index.html.