Played at Array Music, 155 Walnut Ave. Toronto, Ont. From Oct. 2-5, 2024.
Concept by Bahram Jam
Book by Martin Julien
Music and lyrics by Allen Cole and Bahram Jam
Cast: Rebecca Auerbach
Arlene Duncan
Allister MacDonald
Tracy Michailidis
Brooke Mitchell
Cliff Saunders
Musicians: Allen Cole
Dashiell Cole
Pain The Musical says it all. It’s a musical about the psychological, physical and mental effect of pain on people. The idea came from Bahram Jam, a physiotherapist. He has worked in the field for 30 years. He is totally involved in and passionate about the subject, trying to ease the pain of his patients through his physiotherapy. He is also a musician who co-wrote the music and lyrics with Allen Cole.
He felt music has a healing effect on pain, so why not combine the music with the knowledge of pain to create a musical. Bahram Jam is keenly enthusiastic and committed to educating the public. He gave an impassioned speech full of facts, information, and medical context at the beginning of the show, at intermission and at the end of the show. Now I would like him to incorporate all that information into the show and save the lectures for another time, away from the show.
Allen Cole is one of the most accomplished composer/lyricists in Canada today. Martin Julien is a writer, scholar and teacher of theatre. The three combined to create the show.
The cast was exemplary. I believe the music is on Spotify. Pain (Cliff Saunders) was personified as a song and dance man who told jokes in order to lighten the pain of the patients. Various patients and a doctor had different issues dealing with pain. All interesting and beautifully sung and acted.
The workshop was from Oct. 2-5.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you Lynn Slotkin for coming to PAIN: The Musical workshop while it is still in it’s early stages. Your presence and your comments are truly appreciated.
Looking forward to the next iteration, Bahram, and your enthusiasm and empathy.