Musicals & Operas

Too Big For Her Britches

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Too Big For Her Britches
Award Winner

Too Big For Her Britches

Performer(s): Lisa Pezik
Category: Musicals & Operas
Themes: Family Relationships, Mental Health
Show ambitions: Finding an agent, Touring internationally, Touring nationally, Co-production partnerships, Development for TV/film
Further information on the ambitions for the work: Narcissism is a cross cultural conversation as it presents in leadership, workplace, family relationships, yet not many people feel safe to talk about it, as it’s highly misunderstood. I know how impossible and isolating it can feel to find peace with a narcissistic parent, boss, or spouse, and I want to change the way we view self-care and self-preservation. My goal is to link with initiatives for that support survivors of abuse, mental health, and family dynamics through post show question and answer sessions, talkbacks, and workshops tailored for schools, businesses, and the public.

What if ‘too big’ turns out to be exactly the right size? This award-winning, partly autobiographical, solo musical follows heroine Luna as she tries to make the right choices, while being undermined at every turn by her overbearing, narcissistic mother. Who will win in the inner struggle between her Shame, which drives her to bulimia and alcohol abuse, and her Warrioress alter ego, who urges her to fight back against her mother’s toxicity? Hilarious and heartbreaking, it’s written and performed by Lisa Pezik, playing all 20 characters, as well as delivering 11 instantly hummable original songs.

Touring Notes

3 Set pieces in total. DSL a chair or block, DSC a chair or block, DSR a bench or 3 blocks put together to form a bench. Very minimal set and typically use what’s on hand at the theatre. Preferred looks: Washes, both cool and warm in DSL, DSR, DSC. Have run the show very basic with a 10 light panel and advanced with a 100-light panel in theatres with LED’s and Gobos. Does require a sound system to plug into for backing tracks and minimal sound cues. Programmed in Qlab and Multiplay and does require a tech operator.

Previous Touring Experience

Hollywood, LA (March and June 2022), Hamilton Ontario (July 2022), Off-Broadway New York City (September and October 2022), Edinburgh (August 2023).

Notes for Screen Development

Although it's a one woman show, the characters development has been extensive and the themes progress. With 20 characters, it can easily be adapted into a movie or TV series. The songs Smaller, Would Anybody Notice, Warrior, Not Going Back, Better and I Choose Me are the heroine Luna's inner monologue; however, the song Good Girls is the narcissistic mother's inner monologue, Take These Pictures is the father's inner monologue, and Woman in Me is a drag queen's inner monologue. There is a lot of content to work with under the themes of body image, bullying, suicide awareness, relationships, dating, marriage, motherhood, birth, therapy, and mental health.

Any other ways this work could be shared with presenting partners and audiences

The end goal is a cast on Broadway. It can be adapted for high schools and colleges, with fundraising non-profits, at mental health and wellness conferences, or any community mental health outreach programs.

Venue theSpaceUK
Creative Credits
  • Creator / Writer / Actor: Lisa Pezik
  • Multi Platinum Songwriter / Producer: Drew Lawrence
  • Movement Coach / Alexander Technique Trainer: Jean-Louis Rodrigue
  • Director: Heather Dowling
  • Producer and Stage Manager: Eric Pezik
Country of Origin Canada
Performing Languages English
Performance Type In-person
Performance duration 70 minutes, no intermission
Age range 14 and above (14+) , Guideline
Further information on target audience Women aged 20-60, who have experienced narcissistic abuse, a turbulent childhood, or challenging family dynamics. Parents of children going through transitions from schooling to work to marriage and children. Teachers and Mental Health Providers who work with families.
Sensitive content Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes
Touring information
Scale of show Small-scale
Suitability UK - National, UK - Rural, Europe, North America
Futher information on tour suitability The goal of my show is to spark cross-cultural conversations through Q and A, talkbacks and workshops. The themes of narcissism, self-esteem and inclusion apply worldwide. With Ted Lasso, Jeanette McCurdy's Book, I'm Glad My Mom Died, and Tony Award A Strange Loop, audiences are calling for this type of work.
Touring availability Spring 2024 in North America and Summer 2024 in the UK would be the goal. Fall 2024 I'm open to possibilities and flexible.
Estimated performance cost Travel and accommodations for 3, tech operator
Minimum stage / performance size 10-15 feet, 3x4 meters
Screen development and other opportunities
Who is the rightsholder to the material? Lisa Pezik
Complimentary tickets to this show can be requested through the Arts Industry Office Request tickets
You can get in touch with the show contact in order to request complimentary tickets to this show.

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Lisa Pezik Creator, Writer, Actor