Amy is 23, married 6 months and unexpectantly pregnant. Her husband is not ready to be a dad. Enter her world of the unexpected, as work, choice, birth, friendship, mothers, marriage and an event from her past all collide, and Amy must discover herself.

Can You Hear Me? is a musical play that leaps into the confusion, hope, conflicts and wonder that can arise with birthing a baby. From poking fun at Social Media influencers to the pain of birth trauma and the medicalization of birth, the play reveals important societal issues about birth and intimacy current our time. Can You Hear Me? sparks lively conversations and evokes strong feelings about healing and the power of love.

“I found the music very smart, fresh and original. There are so many good songs in this musical that it’ll be interesting to see which ones become audience favorites — and future hits. I thoroughly enjoyed what’s been done.”
–Eddie Holland, Legendary Motown Composer and in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame

 From Lisa:  This play is deeply personal for me. When I realized I hadn’t bonded with my daughter when she was born, I felt I had to do something to help prevent other women and families from experiencing that loss. I created a book and music set about bonding with Gary Malkin and David Surrenda. We learned that people were more interested in managing birth, sleep, feeding, etc., and not about what sets up the right condition for sustainable love.

When I had the opportunity to create an original theatrical piece that could communicate stories about how people think about and deal with birth, I jumped at the chance to interview a wide variety of people. Using their powerful and often funny stories, with encouragement and support from Tony nominated actress Jayne Atkinson, Gary and I created original songs to complement the stories and the first presentation of the play was staged.

At that initial presentation the audience’s response stunned me. They leapt to their feet and kept thanking me and our team for bringing this subject to light. This was clearly a universal issue. At the talk-back, people shared their personal experiences and wanted us to make sure others saw the play. After further development of the play and adding additional songs, we staged another production for health care professionals. The audience was on their feet again, very enthusiastic about the show, reconfirming that we were moving in the right direction.

The hallmarks of a well bonded connection between a parent and baby are the capacities for intimacy, empathy, love, vulnerability, self-confidence, and courage. But that is not where our world is now. Society is suffering from the hospital practice of separating a baby from its parent at birth.

I joined the boards of the National Perinatal Association (NPA), and the Association for Pre and Perinatal Birth Psychology and Health (APPPAH). I learned that if hospitals and doctors change their procedures so that the first hour after birth is uninterrupted, an extraordinary experience occurs. Bonding is easier, breast feeding is less stressful, there is less post-partum depression, and many more positive effects.

Addressing the current challenges of birthing is what drove me to further develop and complete this play. As a woman, I have felt the disempowerment that comes from not standing up for myself because I didn’t know enough to do so. With my second child, I chose birth as a natural process. I was not afraid. That made all the difference. I want people to feel empowered to choose whatever method is right for them. Our play’s protagonist, Amy, learns this, and in the process, she impacts her girlfriends, her mother, and her husband.  So many in our audiences have cried, and then cheer at the end. Now, it’s time to share it.

“The music and writing are superb — they unleash a whole gamut of emotions — the ups and downs, as well as the frustrations and effects of secrets being released after a lifetime of holding them in … no one saw that coming.”
-Linda Donofrio, President of NY Take Five Public Relations