Review: What We Leave Behind at Theatre Raleigh
Theatre Raleigh has managed to carve out a unique niche for itself. Under the guidance and vision of Executive Director and former Broadway performer Lauren Kennedy Brady, Theatre Raleigh sits at the intersection of big Broadway and local art. With performances from both well known theater stars (like Ariana DeBose, Alyssa Fox, and Rachel Bay Jones) and regional artists, Theatre Raleigh has figured out how to blend the two and open the door for the next generation of performers.
This is perhaps done most successfully through the Capital Arts Theater Guild, founded by Lauren’s husband Charlie Brady, as they workshop new productions and give them a platform for public performance as part of the Theatre Raleigh lineup. This year, the production is What We Leave Behind, based on the true story of the piece’s writers Jenny Giering and Sean Barry.
Starring the incredible Jessica Phillips as Jenny in this one-woman musical and directed by Paige Price, What We Leave Behind is the story of Jenny’s cancer diagnosis and the physical, emotional, and mental health journey that begins from the moment she went in for what should have been a routine checkup.
Jessica Phillips
One person productions are never easy as a performer (and frankly as an audience, as many of them are rather cringy). But Phillips tackles the various roles with a delicate grace, making her character switches obvious without being over-exaggerated as she takes on the role of Jenny’s husband Sean, their former lover Anna, their son Liam, and Jenny’s doctor.
Parts of the production are flawless, full of rich emotion and heartbreaking honesty. Coupled with Phillip’s incredible voice, some numbers in the show, including “When the Bandages Come Off” and “I Always Knew” had me in tears as Phillips filled them with vulnerability, hope, and innocence.
Jessica Phillips
Throughout the production, Jenny speaks to the audience directly as she tells her story almost as an after-the-fact, with the musical numbers serving as the “show, don’t tell” memories Jenny describes as she goes through her diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, all accompanied on stage by Beth G. Tankersley on the keys. While many are not traditionally “theater” style (with “Hello, Anna” being the fabulous exception that filled the room with joy), they are still touching and read like poetry.
Unfortunately, some of the moments between these musical numbers leave more than a little something to be desired. Everything Jenny says in her flashbacks is very matter of fact and lacks the human, emotional element that makes her direct addresses to the audience so impactful. Her diagnosis, how she is physically feeling, what she is doing- all just straightforward description. It’s like Jenny becomes her diagnosis. Which would be an interesting artistic (and perhaps true to life) choice, if the character of Sean weren’t so insufferable.
Yes, cancer and chronic illness takes a toll on family and friends. That story is also worth telling. But listening to Jenny talk about how wonderful her husband is, only to have him immediately follow with a song about how he’s such a good husband and father and can’t take much more of living with this responsibility?
Sean’s emotional and mental health story should not be the only version that gets told. In a production that centers on a young woman and follows her story as the central plot, her emotional and mental experiences are just as, if not more, valuable and worth sharing in this moment. As a woman, an individual, and as an artist, Giering has a golden opportunity to discuss the importance of mental health, not just physical. One that, unfortunately, as an audience member, is missing from the production, as Jenny’s anguish and struggle is clear, but is instead only told from a factual standpoint.
Jessica Phillips
What We Leave Behind also features gorgeous scenic design from Sonya Leigh Drum, lighting design from Erin Bell, sound design from Parker Gagnier, costume design from Kishara McKnight, and property design from Lora McIntosh.
What We Leave Behind runs at Theatre Raleigh through Sunday, October 5, 2025. Tickets can be purchased here. An ASL interpreted performance will be available on Saturday, October 4th at 2:00 p.m.
All photo credit to Jennifer Robertson Photography. Additional production photos can be found below.
