Broken Wide Open at West of Lenin

Broken Wide Open is a solo theatre show featuring Shana Pennington-Baird telling her story about surviving an aortic dissection while traveling alone in Ireland. This hour-long musical story includes ten songs and forty minutes of comedic and dramatic narrative including a 6-person Celtic band. This poignant and hysterical show takes the audience through the harrowing and terrifying experience of almost dying alone and what it took to get back home to Seattle.

For the Seattle production, following Shana's tale is intermission and then live music with Dréos (Thurs, Fri, Sat) and with the Half Brothers (Sun).

Reviews from premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023

“There’s not enough words to describe the complexity and the depth a show like this brings. I felt privileged to be in the audience. I feel grateful to Shana for sharing her story. And I feel blessed to have been witness to the amazing talents of the musicians in the show. This brilliant little piece of theatre is a slice of heaven, with a whole lot of soul. I truly hope Shana has the opportunity to share her story in this medium again and again and again. Thank you Shana for your joy, hope and courage. If you see Broken Wide Open playing anywhere near you, I encourage you to run to buy a ticket. This is a show I would have seen twice, if not 3 times had I had the chance.”

“It’s appropriate to say that BROKEN WIDE OPEN is full of heart, from the joyful storytelling and song on stage to the live band supporting Shana’s tale. I laughed and cried a bunch, and left feeling like I wanted some quality pub time with the group.”

“Beautiful and moving story! A life or death journey told through beautiful live music. The live band on stage was such a treat and a powerful way to support the main character!”