UNEXPECTED!
A Story of Sex, Love
& OMG Birth
A New Musical
Description of the Musical
Amy (23), married only 6 months, is unexpectantly pregnant. Husband Michael (25), consumed with starting a software company, is not ready to be a dad. Michael, and Amy’s mom, want Amy to end the pregnancy. But Amy’s not sure. Her dad died last year and she’s not close with her mom. Amy was born prematurely, and they never bonded. Learning she has Jewish generational trauma from her father’s family and knowing Michael won’t have time to help, Amy considers abortion until she “accidentally” meets a helpful midwife and then bumps into a dear friend she had lost touch with who is pregnant.
Could these events be what her grandmother called, Beshert, “meant to be”? Amy decides it is and chooses to keep the baby.
Michael reluctantly agrees to support her decision, but he is gone a lot. Amy’s two pregnant, funny, and wildly different girlfriends help her through her pregnancy and birth. But after the baby is born, a more challenging reality arrives. Michael hasn’t acquired funding for his company. After only 6 weeks, Amy, hurt and angry, must go back to work.
One night, Michael tries to reconnect with Amy, but it goes terribly wrong. What is revealed changes everything.
UNEXPECTED! is charming and funny like “Waitress” yet deep like “Evan Hanson”. Filled with gorgeous contemporary fusion music, the play tells a transformative story of synchronicity, vulnerability, forgiveness, healing, and love.
When we open our hearts the “unexpected” can happen.
Why Now?
Gen X, Y and Z are facing many challenges today. Should we have a child in today’s world? How can we manage our economics? What do we believe about religion and “a woman’s right to choose”? Have I become too self absorbed because of social media? Am I insecure because I was not bonded at birth? How can I heal from the long-lasting effects of generational trauma?
A well bonded connection between a parent and baby establishes our capacity for intimacy, empathy, love, vulnerability, self-confidence, and courage. Unfortunately three generations have experienced birthing in institutions that haven’t devoted the time or resources needed to support bonding. To this day, many of them continue to separate parent and baby at birth and encourage unnecessary, elective cesarean sections. It is being reported that new parents are experiencing more insecurity and depression than ever before.
Musical theater, using humor and captivating music, can be a catalyst for self reflection and communication. This is our goal.
Audience Responses to the Play
“I am a lifelong musician … the music in “Unexpected!” Is fabulous, both melodically and lyrically. If I can dig it … I know you will love it.”
-HB Barnum, Music Director and Arranger for Aretha Franklin and many more Motown greats.
“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
“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
Development History
Sept 2015 – Inspired to create a theatrical presentation about birthing, Lisa Rafel interviewed new mothers and fathers, doctors, midwives and doulas to find true stories about birth that would be hilarious, deep, and absolutely entertaining.
March 2015 – Can You Hear Me Baby? was performed at the Berkshire Festival of Woman Writer’s. Directed and Co-Produced by Tony nominee Jayne Atkinson, it was performed at the Unicorn Theater in Stockbridge, MA as an anthology with monologues, duologues, scenes, and songs (co-written with Gary Malkin). It received standing ovations at each of its 4 performances.
April 2017 – Following re-writes and conference presentations, a staged reading/concert presentation of Can You Hear Me Baby? with an added central story line and new songs was produced in Binghamton, NY at the Firehouse Theater. Musically arranged for a 4-piece band by Broadway arranger and orchestrator, Kim Scharmberg and directed by New York director, Cara Reichel, it included 4 performances, plus a talk back and received 4 standing ovations.
August 2022 – Following rewrites, table readings, and staged readings, a full reading of the musical play was performed for an invited audience in Oakland, CA. The audience included Kim Scharnberg, producers, and people who had seen previous readings and people who had never seen it before. The response was tears, a lot of laughter and a cheering, standing ovation.
October 2022 – A one-hour showcase of the 2 ½ hour play was presented to potential funders in San Mateo, CA. Edited so the actors narrated the story between selected scenes and songs, the cast of seven was reduced to five actor/singers. Musically directed by Broadway veteran Jeff Saver with a 4-piece band arranged by Kim Scharnberg, an enthusiastic audience raised enough money to produce another showcase in December of the same year in Los Angeles. But Covid hit the creators and following LA, everything had to be put on hold.
June 2023 – After completing a rewrite of Act 2 and adding new songs, a staged reading of the play in complete form was produced at the Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley, CA with piano accompaniment and a full cast. An invited audience enthusiastically offered feedback through a talk back and questionnaire.
2024 – Retitled and rewritten with a stronger story line to increase the dramatic resolve, UNEXPECTED! a Story of Sex, Love and OMG Birth is now being submitted to competitions, potential theaters, backers and potential directors.
Follow Our Progress
We will occasionally be sending out updates about our progress through social media and a designated newsletter. If you would like to follow us, please contact: Anita@lisarafel.com
Would You Like to Become Involved?
It can be so fulfilling to support the arts, particularly at this stage of development. We would love to know more about you. What is calling to you? Would you like to help financially? Do you have connections to theaters that develop musicals and/or producers, directors or actors who might help us? We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Anita Jones at Anita@lisarafel.com
For more details about investing and the returns that might come your way.
Contact: Executive Producer, David Surrenda PhD. at dsurrenda@gmail.com.
The Marquis sign outside the Brickroom LA
From the left: Kerry O’Malley, David Toole, Natalie Hawkins, Sydney Endicott, Maia Conty, Anastasia Barzee, Victoria Theodore, Jeff Saver
Kim Scharnberg making the band sound so good!
Rehearsing for SM in Oakland.
Kerry O’Malley, David Toole, Natalie Hawkins, Sydney Endicott, Maiya Sykes, Anastasia Barzee applauding the authors at the LA Showcase
Sam Faustine, Natalie Hawkins, Adria Swan, Tanika Baptiste, Genevieve Perdue. The cast from San Mateo, CA showcase
Jeff Saver working his magic with the LA cast.
Maiya Sykes and Jeff Saver, LA Showcase
David Toole, Lisa Rafel, Sydney Endicott – LA Showcase
Gary Malkin in the recording studio.
Genie Shermak recording “I Am the Answer to My Dream”
Lisa Rafel and Gary Malkin
David Surrenda, Executive Producer; Lisa Rafel, Book and Lyrics; Raylene Phillips, President of APPPAH, Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health
Jeff Saver and Gary Malkin at the piano preparing Sam Faustine, Natalie Hawkins and Tanika Baptiste for the San Mateo, CA Showcase
The dynamic duo of Jeff Saver and Kim Scharnberg working on Zoom.
Everyone is happy after the show!
