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     The Mad Ones, formerly known as The Unauthorized Biography of Samantha Brown, by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk. This is a musical with a best selling cast album, over 20 million views on YouTube, and an Off-Broadway run. This show amassed an underground cult following, but is now as well known as Next to Normal and Heathers. But what is so special about The Mad Ones? It’s the show’s humanity.

     As the dramaturg,this is something I empathized during our rehearsal process: these are human characters experiencing human feelings and moments. In our rehearsals the characters weren’t just characters, but real people who experienced life within the world of the musical. The director, cast, and I would discuss why the characters are feeling what they’re feeling, what their relationships with the other
characters are like, and what happened in the past that led them to this moment. We created a world that feels real and honest, and where you are able to see a little bit of yourself in each character.

     It’s not only the character’s likability, or the amazing music sung throughout that draws people to the show, but also the themes of loss and grief. Loss comes in different forms from death to divorce to losing a friendship, etc... and with each loss comes grief. Everyone experiences loss and grief throughout life, in this show, the loss and grief revolve around Sam grieving the death of her best friend. This is an
unfortunate reality for many but even if you haven’t been in a similar situation, your own experiences with loss and grief still allow you to understand and feel what Sam is going through. This musical pushes you to examine how loss can change you and that grief is different for everyone. There is no right and wrong way to grieve or handle loss and please know that your feelings are valid and normal.

     I ask that for the next 90 minutes you sit up and observe. That you allow yourself to be open to the feelings and emotions that come up throughout the show. The Mad Ones’ beauty is in its humanity, allow yourself that grace too.