A triumphant premiere

Our podcast storyteller, Scott Ehrenpreis, debuts his one-man show, "Clowns Like Me" in Sarasota

Last night, our FMI storyteller, Scott Ehrenpreis, debuted his show, “Clowns Like Me,” at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts in Sarasota.

The lived experience Scott shared on his podcast here has been expanded into a one man show, written and directed by the talented Jason Cannon, a former associate artist at Florida Studio Theatre. It’s a moving, funny and sometimes painful account of what it’s like to live with a mental illness and covers a lot of ground in just over an hour.

Not surprisingly, the sold-out, opening night audience included many people who also have lived experience of a mental illness, either their own or that of a friend, partner or relative, and they were deeply engaged as Scott shared his tumultuous journey. The triumphant end to his story was on display on the stage as Scott was able to fully exhibit his gifts as an actor while bravely revealing his vulnerabilities. A talk back after the performance — nearly the entire audience stayed to hear it — elicited praise, angst and plenty of tears.

Performances of “Clowns Like Me” continue through this weekend (May 19-21)and then again Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of next week (May 24, 25 and 27). You can purchase tickets here, and I encourage you to do so — and especially if you have not experienced mental illness yourself or in a loved one. That’s the audience this production really needs to reach.

Without being pedantic, the play shares a plethora of information about mental illness, while defraying misconceptions, stereotypes and stigmas. It humanizes and normalizes what it is to live with any form of mental health challenge — from mild anxiety to schizophrenia. And it opens a door to bringing brain disorders further out of the closet and increasing understanding and empathy for those whose lives are challenged by them.