Writer and performer Midge Lema is set to bring her third solo production, “Bean vs. The Robots: A Solo Show Musical,” to the Hudson Backstage Theatre. The production will run from June 7-21, marking a significant return to the stage for the founder of Lemabean Productions.
A Sci-Fi Exploration of Grief
The musical follows the character of Bean, who is trapped inside a spaceship having lost her memories. To recover them, Bean plays “sad little songs” on her keyboard, a process that causes the audience to lose their own sense of time.
Joining Bean on her ship are an optimistic Elijah Wood and a disgruntled “hot robot” who encourages Bean to become a robot herself. Through these interactions, the show examines how grief “seeps into our lives and pilfers our memories.”
A Decade in Development
The seeds for “Bean vs. The Robots” were planted in 2015 following a significant personal loss experienced by Lema. While the intersection of comedy and grief provided the initial inspiration, the show took a decade to reach the stage.
Lema noted that for nearly ten years, her focus remained on her professional life, stating, “…all that mattered was my life at work. I didn’t even write one weird little song.” It was a subsequent “new grief for a weird little kid who sang songs about space” that eventually drove her back to her keyboard.
Professional Background and Credentials
Lema brings extensive industry experience to the production, having spent over a decade at Disney. Her roles included Manager of Creative Brand & Development, where she oversaw content for Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Disney+ platforms.
Previously, she served as the head writer and host of “The Oh My Disney Show” and the editor and head writer for Disney News. Her work in these capacities earned multiple Shorty and Webby Awards.
Academic and Artistic Roots
Lema holds a theatre degree from the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts and studied Shakespeare at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England.
Her theatrical credits span several countries, including productions in Germany, Scotland, and Australia. She was also a long-time member of the Open Fist Theatre Company in Los Angeles, serving as its Fundraising Director.
Future Outlook
Following the run at Hudson Backstage Theatre, “Bean vs. The Robots: A Solo Show Musical” is scheduled to debut at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe later this year.
Given Lema’s history of success at these festivals, the production could potentially attract international attention similar to her 2012 appearance at the Fringe World Festival, where her work was cited as one of the “top ten shows not to miss” by The West Australian.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of “Bean vs. The Robots”?
The show features a character named Bean who is trapped in a spaceship with no memory of her life. She plays songs on a keyboard to recover her memories while interacting with an optimistic Elijah Wood and a disgruntled robot.
What is Midge Lema’s professional history with Disney?
Lema worked with Disney for over ten years, most recently as Manager of Creative Brand & Development. She also served as the head writer and host of The Oh My Disney Show and editor for Disney News.
When and where can audiences see the show?
Performances will run June 7-21 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre, with subsequent debuts planned for the Hollywood Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
How does the use of comedy help in processing themes of loss and grief?
