SUPERNOVA by Liza Dealey-Thomason

Supernova is both a fanciful and autobiographical tale, based upon Liza’s real experience losing multiple family members to suicide and cancer. Expressed through her playing multiple characters, various genres of musical numbers (including but not limited to country, pop, R & B, and funk), and humor that perfectly juxtaposes the seriousness of the poignant thematic elements.

The show’s heroine shares the same name as the actress who plays her. However, in this dimension Liza belongs to a family of superheroes tasked with the very large feat of saving the world. Unlike the rest of the members of her family, at the top of the show, Liza is the only member who doesn’t have any superpowers yet. She’s merely equipped with a positive attitude and an uncanny ability to find joy in even the smallest things and darkest moments.

With no cure or anecdote in sight, the family’s mission is to discover the causes of an “emotional pandemic” sweeping the globe that results in people losing their will to live and “self-destructing”. The family’s adventure of saving the world is intrinsically linked with Liza’s personal journey of self-acceptance and becoming who she truly is.

On March 1st, Liza got the all too familiar call that another brother had died by suicide. Of her four brothers, three of them have taken their lives; joined in death by their mother and stepmother, who both passed away of differing cancers 15 years apart. Seemingly compelled by something greater than herself, Liza could no longer keep silent about her intimate experiences with death, grief, trauma, and mental health. Within months, a series of events, people, and opportunities serendipitously unfolded resulting in a one woman mental health musical comedy. What began as a small whisper of a desire to share her family’s story and possibly impact the taboo nature with which suicide and emotional well-being are currently regarded in society, quickly snowballed into a much bigger conversation about happiness, spirituality, and one’s ability to withstand the uncontrollable and unfair, but inherent, challenges of life. The show closes with a finale song that perfectly encapsulates the theme and message of the musical: What makes life worth living? Do more of THAT!

Website:
https://lizadealey-thomason.com/supernova-musical

Binge on all of our audio shows at atlantafringe.org/fringe-audio or wherever you enjoy podcasts.