Tying Up Loose Ends

Catherine Gallogly works as a hospice nurse.  Her stage production "Tying Up Loose Ends", is a show about death and the celebration of life.  The show is a series of stories and songs produced and performed by Catherine and her daughter, Ann.  Most of the stories are about Catherine's patients.  Opening night is this Friday, December 11, 2009 at 8PM at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. Come see the show and get inspired about life.  

Ron Sager (Fluxcore): Tell us about your show "Tying Up Loose Ends"

Catherine Gallogly: "Tying Up Loose Ends" is a glimpse into real life and what makes up the end of it. The dozen or so human and heartfelt stories in the 70-minute play, are written and performed by me, and come from my 30 years of experience in the nursing community. The powerful – and often funny - monologues are complimented by a beautifully crafted group of songs, from various genres, performed by my daughter, Ann Gallogly, vocalist, collaborator, and Dan Stetzel pianist, who is also the Musical Director. The play is directed by Jamie O'Reilly, who helped develop the work and is known for her extensive work as a cultural artist, vocalist, writer and producer.

Ron: What was the inspiration behind the show?

Catherine: The inspiration behind the show is years of listening to patients stories and my own family’s story telling. Early in my training, the doctors and nurses always listened to the patients story. My nursing training was focused on “what is best for this individual person”. And, I believe we all want someone to hear our story. It’s a validation that who we are, makes a difference. Several years ago a friend said I should put these stories on the stage. Then I had the wonderful opportunity to be profiled on NPR and the response was overwhelming. I started to think that it could be possible. Ann finished her degree in voice performance and we thought it would be fun to work together. We have created “Tying Up Loose Ends” over the past fourteen, fifteen months while working fulltime.

Ron: Do you have a background in theater?

Catherine: High school, but mainly costume making, and a couple of parts on the stage. But if we count water ballet shows, then the answer is yes.

Ron: What does a regular day in the life of Catherine Gallogly look like?

Catherine: It’s crazy. For the past year and a half I have been working on the show part time and my job as a hospice nurse full time. I love theater, movies, dancing, service work, but it’s all been on the back burner to “birth” this show. Today I was looking for props, rehearsing, looking for chairs, writing emails. I don’t think I have a regular day.

Ron: What do you want to transform in the end of life care industry?

Catherine: Well, that’s hopefully the conversation this show begins, that people start living NOW, this moment, by thinking about what the end of their life will look like. We can have end of life be so peaceful, painfree, loving, but that takes planning and education.

The conversation about one’s death is as important as who to marry, where to go to school, and which career to choose. Death and how we die is as important as any of those other questions/conversations. What’s weird is most people act like it’s never going to happen.

People have shared that they’ve walked away from the show wanting to live their lives differently so that death is a completion, not a surprise. That they want to choose how they die and not be surprised by it. I love those comments.

Ron: What message do you want put out there for families who are dealing with losing their loved ones?

Catherine: That they feel hope and love. Use the precious time you have just being together.

Ron: What is it like working on the show with your daughter Ann?

Catherine: It is exhilarating to work with Ann, we both have the same high expectations and attention to detail to create a moving piece whether it is the song or story. When Ann sings, I still get teary eyed, or get the chills down my arm from the emotions of the songs. She never fails to move me. I sometimes look over and she has tears in her eyes when I am finished with my lines. It is a real gift to work with my daughter.

Ron: Wow.  That is incredible.  What do you want to leave your audience with after they see the show?

Catherine: We have woven stories and songs together, take you on a journey and leave you with a blessing. I’ve created the show so that each person who sees the show has an experience that is unique to them. They can take what they need for their own lives. People have told me that months later they are still thinking about the stories and that they’ve changed their lives.

Ron: Can you tell us about the process that led to creating and completing your show?

Catherine: I hired a creative director, Jamie O'Reilly, who is a gifted artist herself, and worked for fourteen months writing and crafting each story into vignettes. We looked for songs, and for this set of performances, added some drama and interplay between Ann and myself.  I hired a lighting designer and a stage manager. We have expanded the show to a professional level.

Ron: What do you see in the future for "Tying Up Loose Ends"?

Catherine: In my wildest dreams I would love to see TULE run nationally. People have asked if I will do it for conventions and conferences and that’s exciting. This is a perfect time to talk about end of life as we all face health care questions. It would awesome if we could do that before we need it. Maybe this show is one step in this direction.

"Tying Up Loose Ends - Perspectives on Life Through Hospice"
Friday, December 11 & 18 at 8PM
Saturday, December 12 & 19 at 3PM and 8PM
Sunday, December 13 & 20 at 3PM and 8PM


Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
777 Green St.
Chicago, IL
For tickets visit http://www.theaterland.com/
Call 312.733.6000
$25 pre-sale
$30 at door

visit:
http://www.catherinegallogly.com/
http://www.anngallogly.com/