Meredith College’s Theatre Department once again has wrapped up another musical. After “The Revolutionists” a few weeks ago, the Theatre Department announced that there would be a musical production of “COMMITTED: the musical.” This musical, written by a local Durham resident Carly Campbell, is a “semi-autobiographical piece,” according to the MC Theatre website. This production ran from Nov. 9 through Nov.16, 2024.
According to “COMMITTED: the musical” website, Campbell is a singer and songwriter “interested in community-based mental health” and studying Occupational Therapy at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill. Campbell shared more of the process in bringing “COMMITTED: the musical” to Meredith, noting that LormarevJones, Assistant Professor of Theatre, Program Coordinator, ‘05, offered to produce and direct the show, bringing to life the “first fully-produced, fully- realized production of ‘Committed: the musical’,” according to the ‘note from the composer’ in the program. Campbell also shared in the same section that one of the songs in the musical was written by five of the students.
All of the background of the plot and the people involved in putting on "Committed: The Musical” can be found in the musical’s program. In the play, Campbell tells the story from the perspective of a young girl named Phoebe who is committed to a psychiatric ward after suffering a psychotic break. The main protagonist is forced to endure a harsh road which leads her to finding some feeling of recovery while noting the struggles with going in and out of wards. With the help of the people around her, she is able to find the strength to fight against mental illness and take a stand.
I attended the play on Nov. 10 and Nov. 14. I was amazed by the music which conveys intense emotions which can be felt through the person acting. My favorite part was the harmonies in the first song. Everyones’ voice radiated throughout the room. Everyone blended so well together to create an intense feeling. Another part I liked was when the different mental health prescriptions became personified, singing and dancing to a hilarious number. The dark humor was presented at the perfect times throughout the performance. There were moments where the audience was feeling the emotions of the main character when a side character would throw in a one liner which brought the mood of the room back up. It was a very entertaining musical.
This musical is full of dark humor about mental health and the journey to recovery. Some of the cast in the current performance also performed in “The Revolutionists.” The music was powerful, conveying struggles, joys, challenges, heartbreak and triumph. In a note from the composer, Campbell wrote about her process and that she “started writing ‘Committed’ in 2013 following her second psychiatric hospitalization in two years. This musical is a sign of hope and perseverance in the midst of mental struggle in hopes to reach out to others who understand and feel the same way.
By Ellie Penton, Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Eliza Ward
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