In November, the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles will feature “It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!” — a musical from the minds of Emmy Award-winning composer Ben Decter and Tony Award-nominated director Kristin Hanggi.The musical, sponsored by drugmaker UCB, aims to destigmatize epilepsy and show that the nearly 3 million Americans living with the condition have worth.The play follows Jackson, a middle school-aged boy with a younger sister named Lucy, who has a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS).LGS is a condition best identified by different types of seizures and is associated with behavioral problems like hyperactivity, agitation, aggression and autism. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, the condition can worsen over time and delay intellectual development.As a result of her learning challenges, Lucy attends a special day class. When Tyler Price, the play’s antagonist, makes fun of Lucy, Jackson punches him in the face. To avoid expulsion, Jackson puts on a musical illustrating the challenges his family faces related to his sister’s epilepsy and how they overcome these obstacles together.Performances begin on November 7 and run until December 15.The creators drew inspiration from other Broadway plays that raised awareness for different health conditions. These include “Dear Evan Hansen,” which focused on social anxiety and suicide as well as “Next To Normal,” which raised awareness for mental illness and bipolar disorder.UCB’s involvement in the musical is its most recent example of marketing work around epilepsy, as the company currently has four different epilepsy drugs on the market.Last month, UCB launched The Sound of Profound Video Project, which encouraged family caregivers to share their home videos underscoring the impact of its drug Fintepla. The project featured home videos from caretakers of patients living with Dravet syndrome, the rare genetic disorder which the drug works to combat.The company is also exploring a potential novel rescue medication, which could help rapidly stop epileptic seizures as well as treatment of a rare, developmental epileptic encephalopathy.Through early research programs, UCB has also been investigating new modes of treatment which target disease mechanisms in specific epilepsies.“We are thrilled to help bring this musical to the stage as a powerful platform to raise awareness for the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) community,” stated Laurie Bailey, patient advocacy lead at UCB. “Through the universal language of music and performance, this cast and crew shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by those living with epilepsy and their families, including the siblings.”
Epilepsy takes center stage in new UCB-sponsored musical
The musical, sponsored by UCB, aims to destigmatize epilepsy and show that all people living with the condition have worth.
Molly Huth | July 31, 2024 | 4:31 pm
Source: www.mmm-online.com, Molly Huth