Philadelphia Theatre Company presents Night Side Songs

Grief doulas

Written by celebrated musical theatre writers Daniel and Patrick Lazour and directed by Obie-winning PTC co-artistic director Taibi Magar, Night Side Songs centers around Yasmine Hollie, a fictional character inspired by extensive interviews with Philly and Boston-area doctors, hospital staff, patients, and caregivers. The production follows Yasmine’s (Brooke Ishibashi) journey navigating a life-changing diagnosis with her mother Desirée (Mary Elizabeth Scallen) and her husband Frank (Jonathan Raviv), while also incorporating vignettes of historical and fictional characters Prudence (Mary Elizabeth Scallen), Dr. Emil Freireich (Robi Hager), and Harris Reading (Jordan Dobson)—whose experiences of illness and caregiving mirror Yasmine’s. An ensemble cast brings Yasmine’s story to life through intimate conversation and folk-inspired songs, often accompanied by Temple University alum Jordan Dobson on guitar.

“I love playing instruments in shows because at that point I’m using my full artistry possible to tell the story,” said Dobson on serving as the production’s guitarist. “It’s all about holding space for other people’s grief, and I think it makes my job a little easier than the other four [performers] because I have a vehicle to do that that’s not just my body and my heart, I have another avenue to channel that through.”

Night Side Songs toured Philly-area hospitals, community centers, and human services centers from February 4 to 15 before its run at the Suzanne Roberts Theater. During the tour, the cast frequently performed for caregivers and patients in their place of work or residence. Dobson describes feeling keenly aware of his own role as a type of caregiver to the audience, recalling “someone came to the show the other day and described the five of us as ‘you guys are like grief doulas’. The level of empathy required to do the show and figure out what the audience needs during the show…it feels like a big responsibility on our part to take care of.”

With in-the-round seating and call-and-response singing between the performers and audience, Night Side Songs seeks to foster connection amid the often-isolating experiences of illness, caregiving and grief. “People often make friends at the show, because you’re sitting next to someone and singing with them and crying with them,” Dobson notes. “The sense of community throughout the show is really strong.”