Members of Lifeline musical’s health care professionals chorus stand behind the hospital bed of an actor whose character is dying of an antibiotic-resistant post-op infection. Brandon Oby, an MD student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is second from left. Photo credit: Bob Farese
An inspiring Off-Broadway musical, Lifeline, tells the story of Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming’s world-changing discovery of penicillin in 1928, charting the rise and fall of antibiotics. Interwoven with a modern storyline of a doctor trying to save her childhood sweetheart under the current, looming threat of antibiotic resistance, the musical features local scientists and health care professionals, including members of the Mount Sinai community, alongside the show’s touring professional company.
Cameron R. Hernandez, MD, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director at Mount Sinai Queens, will be featured in the chorus on Tuesday, September 10, through Sunday, September 15. Mount Sinai’s Eva Chebishev, a PhD student, and Brandon Oby, an MD student, performed during the opening week of the musical, which debuted Wednesday, August 28.
“Lifeline tells the astounding story of one of my heroes, Dr. Alexander Fleming, and I could not be more excited to be a part of an ensemble cast to tell the important story of the development of antibiotics,” says Dr. Hernandez. “It is a very special experience to represent Mount Sinai and to be featured alongside local scientists and health care professionals who work every day to keep our communities safe and healthy. I hope to see you in the audience.”
Cameron R. Hernandez, MD, far left, poses for a group photo backstage with cast members from the Lifeline musical
The musical is more than a historical narrative about the discovery of penicillin. It’s an engaging form of science communication that promotes awareness and advocacy for the rising global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by telling the stories of those affected by antimicrobial resistance every day: patients and their loved ones, health care practitioners, and advocates fighting for policy change. Each character is based on a real person who has had experiences with AMR.
“Being involved in Lifeline has been a quite literal dream come true,” says Ms. Chebishev. “I had thought my vision of incorporating my lifelong passion for musical theatre into a career in effective science communication was too niche to be possible, so it was incredibly validating to learn there are already some people doing it (and doing it well) in such an effective, powerful way.”
Mr. Oby is a second-year medical student who spends his free time combining his love for music and medicine—playing for patients at hospitals, performing in jazz combos at medical conferences, and playing in bands at medical fundraising galas. He says joining the cast of Lifeline felt like a natural next step.
“I had never done musical theater before this, so I was incredibly excited for the new experience. Bridging my two worlds of music and medicine makes both so much more special. Lifeline is a one-of-a-kind show, and I hope you all get to experience this incredible feat of science communication,” he says.
Eva Chebishev, PhD student, second row, far right, and Mr. Oby, back row, far right, pose backstage for a group photo with Lifeline’s health care professionals chorus.
The musical is a two-time Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out and has toured to London, Glasgow, and the U.S. East Coast in 2022. It also was performed at the U.K. Houses of Parliament and in Barbados for Prime Minister Mia Mottley before it made its debut Off-Broadway in August.
“It is an honor to be part of this endeavor and to represent Mount Sinai alongside other scientists and health care professionals passionate about AMR and accessible, effective science communication,” adds Ms. Chebishev. “Lifeline is real, it’s raw, it’s powerful, and I hope you go see it.”
Lifeline is being staged at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center at 480 W. 42nd Street, Jim Houghton Way until Saturday, September 28. To learn more about Lifeline or to purchase tickets, please visit their website.