About “Pancakes and a Lobster Tank; Living with Autism, Loving Alex”…
In “Pancakes and a Lobster Tank: Living with Autism, Loving Alex”, Rebecca Maher provides her audience with a humorous and heart-wrenching account of a mother’s experiences raising a child with autism. It is a work that is sometimes tragic, always emotionally stirring, and ultimately a triumph of the human spirit and condition. This work provokes a spectrum of emotions that must be experienced. Rebecca sums it up best when she says that life with a child with autism “…can be a lot like a roller coaster ride complete with screaming, panic induced laughter, a nd someone may ultimately vomit.”
What People Are Saying About “Pancakes and a Lobster Tank; Living with Autism, Loving Alex”…
"There have been a few things in our son's life that we will always remember. 1. His birth. 2. His diagnosis. 3. This play. It was so profound in the sense that it had such depth to it. It really comes from the heart. It puts a real face on autism. In every sense. A son's face. A mother's face. A father's face. Profound also because it penetrates beyond the superficial. Beyond the diagnosis. To the real struggles and triumphs families like ours face."
- Sarah Richard (Mother of a Boy with Autism in Ohio, Attended both Nights of the Premier!)
"These pancakes are topped with frustration and triumph, so you have the ingredients for a memorable experience!"
- Sean Barron (Co-Author of Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through The Unique Perspectives of Autism (with Temple Grandin)
"I want to take this opportunity to tell you how much my wife, Carol, and I enjoyed your presentation of Pancakes and a Lobster Tank. We found it both entertaining and informative. It was entertaining because of your story-telling format which is a tried-and-true method of engrossing an audience. It works from its inception in childhood to very old age. In the hands of a skillful writer and presenter such as yourself, it can leave the audience thinking about all kinds of unimagined things years after the curtain falls.
The piece was informative for those untutored in the arcana of the autism spectrum. Moreover, the “talk-back” segment showed that it truly resonated with parents of autistic children in the audience. But the power of the presentation lay in giving all parents pause to consider their attitudes toward their role and their children. Parenting poses colossal challenges in normal situations. It was your good humor and humanity in dealing with an autistic child that offered an object lesson in expectations and buck-stopping.
Please finish you memoir. You are on to something with this very personal story. But keep presenting Pancakes, as well. People need to learn about true character in an age of flight from life’s responsibilities. Brava, Rebecca!"
- Dr. Salvatore Caronite (Emeritus Professor of Psychology)
"...You have a poignant and timely story to tell. The mixture of comedy and pathos left the audiences spellbound...The theatrical doubleplay of laughter through tears was the perfect balance...they REALLY understand your story and need it to be told."
- Dr. Daniel Nadon (Director of the Premier Performances of this work. Thank you so much for making this come to life!)
"When you have children you learn that you are capable of more patience, less sleep, and more love than you ever thought possible.”
The preceding line from Rebecca Maher’s “Pancakes & a Lobster Tank; Living with Autism, Loving Alex” is actually a very accurate description of the author herself. Rebecca is a Mother, Author, Performer, and Student that has taken a less than traditional path.
In 2009, Rebecca completed “Pancakes” as she celebrated her fortieth birthday and embarked on her junior year as a psychology major at Kent State University. This work, born of her yet untitled memoir, brought her artistic vision to public audience in April of 2010.
As a girl, growing up in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley, Rebecca spent much of her time watching VHS Tapes of popular stand-up comedians (including Dennis Miller, Rosie O’Donnell, and Tina Fey) as they claimed their respective spots in the world of entertainment. She envied their opportunities to make people laugh as she fulfilled her role as class clown in her high school. It wasn’t until the completion of her premiere theatrical work that she found her voice as not only an author but also a performer and she began to experiment with her comedic ambitions in the entertainment capital of the world…Warren, Ohio.
To date, “Pancakes & a Lobster Tank; Living with Autism, Loving Alex” has enchanted audiences across the state of Ohio. Rebecca has had the honor of sharing her audiences’ laughter and tears as tells of her experiences raising a child with Autism (youngest son, Alexander). The stark reality of this work, which is based on her personal experiences, has touched people with its’ deft juxtaposition of humor and triumph, mixed with a little bit of tragedy. She has made a unique statement on the human condition and her performance makes such universal for those living “outside the bubble of autism.”
How you can help…
This show really needs your support. There are two projects pending.
1. This show is submitted to the 2011 NYC International Fringe Festival.
2. We would like to make a DVD of the show in front of a live audience
We would appreciate your consideration of one of the following:
· Contribute to the effort via Paypal at the link on our home page (hppt://www.rebeccamaher.com/"><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext">
