Home for Mom

Dee (Crissy Guerrero) and Mack(Ben Horwitz) with the help of the NPR producer (Anne Montavon) find a new beginning as does Dr. Anna(Deborah Robin). Joining them in the Finale are the glorious voices of Sally Stevens, Lisa Dyson, Crissy Guerrero, Philip Rodriguez, Denise Blasor, Mike Bauer, Renee Wylder, Scott Seiffert, Richard Soto, Leah Verrill and her sons, Mary Mendelsohn, Yolanda Mendiveles, Michelle Holmes and Steve Hill in the moving anthem of hope- “Before I Die”. Composer Wayne Moore on the piano, Camara Rauen, hosts, directs and edits. Thank you for listening. Please share. Eloise Coopersmith- Writer, Lyricist and Producer.

For all those who have ever cared for a loved one and said at one point, “I need a drink” enjoy “Road Map” a gallows humor ditty for all the caretakers out there deliciously sung by Dee (Crissy Guerrero), Jean (Lisa Dyson), Ellen (Sally Stevens) and Dr. Anna(Deborah Robin). Davis (Philip Rodriguez) leaves to find his own path and the 11th hour number “Life Goes On” is sung by the sublime Sally Stevens. Sally brings grace and humanity to this song which explores the challenging experience of grief. Yolanda Mendiveles narrates and Camara Rauen hosts this episode. Music composed brilliantly by Wayne Moore. Book and Lyrics Eloise Coopersmith. Three hankie episode.

Love. There is no greater “medicine” for our family members at a time of grief than love. We hold each other tight. It is our gift to our family members and their gift back to us. Marty (Richard Soto) and his beloved Rosa (Denise Blasor) brilliantly remind us of the love between two soul mates. Dee (Crissy Guerrero) their daughter and her son Mack (Ben Horwitz) remember this love in “Roses in December” sung exquisitely by Crissy. Dee deals with all of this as she returns to work. The Kelly family leaves the home. Eloquent and meaningful performances by the entire cast. Also featured: Anne Montavon, Philip Rodriguez, Renee Wylder, Scott Seiffert. Narration: Yolanda Mendiveles. Hosted by Camara Rauen. Music composed by Steve Hill. Music arranged by Wayne Moore. Book and Lyrics Eloise Coopersmith

After the storm of emotions in Episode 9, this new day opens the door for the Kelly family to re-connect. Maggie (Renee Wyler) opens her heart to Mike (Scott Seiffert) and Jean (Lisa Dyson) voices in, “Help Me” confirming what every caretaker feels when the responsibilities for the family are all on them. Her touching performance reminds us to have empathy and compassion for those caring for others. Also featured in this episode Deborah Robin, Philip Rodriguez, Narration- Yolanda Mendiveles and Hosted by Camara Rauen. Composer: Wayne Moore  Book/Lyrics:  Eloise Coopersmith

Exhaustion and frustration lead to a showdown between Dr. Anna (Deborah Robin) and Jean (Lisa Dyson) when a team building exercise goes wrong. Faith, science and personalities all collide in a debate over hope. Finally unable to keep in the desperation over her mother’s dementia- we see why Dr. Anna is who she is… in the poignant song, “Please Come Home, Mom” sung with tender and heartfelt humanity by the luminescent Deborah Robin. This episode also features Philip Rodriguez, Renee Wylder, Richard Soto, Sally Stevens, Ben Horwitz. Narration: Yolanda Mendiveles. Hosted by Camara Rauen.  Presented as Live reading at the Frida Cinema as part of a grant from the Santa Ana Arts Council and Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble. Music composed by Wayne Moore. Book and Lyrics by Eloise Coopersmith

Recorded at The Frida Cinema in a Live Podcast performance.  It is a new morning at the Home.  Ellen (Sally Stevens) wakes searches, in "Have You met me?" for her memories, Davis(Philip Rodriguez) and Maggie (Renee Wylder) realize they are just friends and try to find a way to express it in  "Leap of Faith"  hoping they can still be friends and Dee( Crissy Guerrero) and Mack(Ben Horwitz) wake up to a new paradigm that they cannot escape. Also featuring Lisa Dyson and Ben Horwitz.  Narrated by Yolanda Mendiveles.  Hosted by Camara Rauen.  Sound- Michael Padilla  Photo credits: Logan Crow

Sundowners syndrome, or sundowning, is a state of confusion that occurs  later in the day and is most often found in patients who have dementia  or Alzheimer's disease.   What happens in the Home in the evening? Do the residents and staff explore new relationships or revisit fantastical  memories of an old one. Perhaps it is a chance for the speechless to  speak.  We look into this  world at night though a variety of musical movements.

Brilliant performances by Philip Rodriguez, Renee Wylder, Mike Bauer, Floyd Riggle, Denise Blasor and Ben Horwitz.

Narration Camara Rauen

Care-taking is an act of love and to be honest exhausting.  The families strive to move forward in work and daily activities with a dose of compassion from family and fellow workers. Featuring Lisa Dyson, Renee Wylder, Michael Bauer, Crissy Guerrero, Anne Motavon and Sally Stevens.  Naration: Camara Rauen.

Dee is exhausted chasing around dealing with work, her mother’s care and her family. There is so much she doesn’t know. Her frustration leads her to ask, how she can stand up for her mother’s rights in a world of managed care that seems unmanageable. Dr. Anna answers her, “Be An Advocate”.

Featuring Crissy Guerrero, Denise Blasor, Deborah Robin, Floyd Riggle, Ben Horwitz, Phillip Rodriguez, Renee Wylder and Sally Stevens. Narration- Camara Rauen.

Note from the writer: Posting this Episode after a week of international protests #blacklivesmatter. Listening to the song “Be An Advocate” about empowering oneself to take charge of one’s own care by asking questions, demanding answers and then making choices- seems to be particularly meaningful today.

We meet Ellen- a Dementia care patient in the home.  She doesn't recognize her grandson Davis- but there is an undeniable connection between the two.  Marty and Rosa make it clear that at 80- they still got it!  Featuring Denise Blasor, Crissy Guerrero, Ben Horwitz, Floyd Riggle, Deborah Robin, Philip Rodriguez and Sally Stevens.