Mary Lambert Instagram – OK this is going to be a toughie. In the history of my life as a performer, I have never been unable to finish a show. Whatever the ailment, my adrenaline will mcguyver my body and mind to do what it needs to—because I love this job so much.
Today’s set for @comedropin was shaping up to be one of my best yet. @gillianzettler and @chandlerfrisbie rented a stunning baby grand, left little gifts in my dressing room, hired a great sound team, and sold 200 tickets to people looking to be moved—in more than one way! After my set, folks got to feel the magic of @forward__space with @kristinsudeikisdance and engage in joyful movement and connect with each other.
For weeks now, I’ve been saddled with a gnarly cough. I’ve tested negative for everything you can test for. My voice was not in the best shape, but I was only planning a 5 song setlist with mostly talking.
I had about 20 good minutes. In this particular style of set that is half-workshop, I tend to talk and sing about traumatic experiences as a way to illustrate some of my approaches to self-healing and share my thoughts about how we might envision collective liberation. There are a few minutes where I talk specifically about my own suicide attempt, and the remainder of the show is a joyful and cathartic emotional journey and I trick you into becoming a soft pancake of compassion! But because I started coughing and lost my voice, I had to stop somewhere along the sad chapter of “I never felt like I belonged” and ended on that note.
I am so, so sad that I could not finish my set, Charleston. I’ve been saying all the kind things to myself that I need to hear to stop from crying every time I think about it, and the organizers are wonderful and I don’t mean to dwell, but I was having the time of my life on stage. And you were all so unbelievably kind, and my heart & soul feel just slightly askew so I want to share the ending of the story I started telling before I was unable to talk, so I’m sharing in these slides.
There is much more to say, but whether or not you were at the event last night, I hope you feel my heart and gratitude from across the screen. Bless you and your goodness. | Posted on 14/Jan/2024 23:13:19
