Marcy Marxer w/ Cathy Fink
Marcy Marxer is a GRAMMY® winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who takes us on her expedition through Breast Cancer and neuropathy caused by Chemotherapy, tempered by her wacky sense of humor and ability to make the personal universal. Her musical and life partner, Cathy Fink is Marcy’s advocate in the doctors’ offices, her number one fan, and bandleader in the show with Stacy McMichael on bass and Janet Cramer on drums. Cathy also plays the mammogram technician, Cindy at the Wig Shop, and Marcy’s mother.
The heartwarming musical comedy takes us through Marcy’s many stages of diagnosis and discovery with hope, grace, and her unique style. From comparing her cancer journey to being dragged through a car wash while playing the musical washboard, to dealing with everyone’s “Unsolicited Advice” to showing the ridiculous “My Chemo Bag” given to her at the hospital, Marcy sticks to the truth while finding humor in many moments. Why is there a lint roller in that bag? Cindy at the Wig Shop put Marcy at ease in the transition to baldness, and also at times told more truth than the doctors who soft-pedaled potential side effects to treatment.
The ten songs span multiple styles of music showcasing Marcy’s talents on the ukulele, mandolin, and electric guitar through swing, punk, rock, jazz, gospel, and old-time country. Marcy triumphs over adversity while celebrating forty years together with the love of her life and musical partner, Cathy, ending with a perfect duet, “Two Peas In A Pod.” The American Cancer Society has indicated that by the year 2030, 1 in 2 people in the US will be diagnosed with cancer. Sooner or later all of us will be caregivers, patients, or loved ones in someone’s cancer circle. All Wigged Out helps us navigate this maze while showcasing the power of hope, the power of love, and the power of advocacy. GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tom Paxton called it, “Hilarious and deeply moving.”
Filmed by the Emmy Award winning HMS Media in Evanston, IL before a live audience. Directed by Tracy Walsh. Run time: 58 minutes.
Listen to the interview on NPR here!
This performance is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org).
Location: The Patterson
Location: Baltimore Museum of Art
