Presented at theWinnipeg Fringe Festival 2025!
Trailer
About the Show
How do you pursue an art form you love when you no longer feel that you belong?
In NERVOUS BREAKDOWN IN G MINOR, Lewis recounts grappling with his queerness, addiction, and mental health while being raised in the Mormon religion in Montana, pursuing classical cello performance at a competitive conservatory, and facing the realities of the modern-day musician. In this solo show, Lewis reenacts his journey in segments with storytelling then musically expresses them through a live performance of a four movement sonata, a tumultuous piece that mirrors the progression of his story.
By sharing an unfiltered range of experiences from discovery, joy, doubt, calamity, to rebirth, this show is a practice of exploring identity and reclaiming one’s own narrative in order to make a more personal, honest, and thus universal connection to music.
In NERVOUS BREAKDOWN IN G MINOR, Lewis recounts grappling with his queerness, addiction, and mental health while being raised in the Mormon religion in Montana, pursuing classical cello performance at a competitive conservatory, and facing the realities of the modern-day musician. In this solo show, Lewis reenacts his journey in segments with storytelling then musically expresses them through a live performance of a four movement sonata, a tumultuous piece that mirrors the progression of his story.
By sharing an unfiltered range of experiences from discovery, joy, doubt, calamity, to rebirth, this show is a practice of exploring identity and reclaiming one’s own narrative in order to make a more personal, honest, and thus universal connection to music.
Press
UMFM 101.5
“Nervous Breakdown in G Minor drew the strongest response of any production I have seen at this Fringe. It’s a personal redemption story, well told and performed, but with Rawlinson’s exquisite cello playing as a bonus. I really appreciate the way he integrated Rachmaninoff’s work into the narrative.
You really owe it to yourselves to take in one of the final performances of this work.” -Kevin Longfield
Jenny Revue
“Part memoir, part concert, Nervous Breakdown in G Minor is a solo performance that blends queerness, addiction, and mental illness through the lens of a young American cellist. Lewis Rawlinson brings vulnerability and emotional depth to the stage, weaving his personal story with fragments of memory, music, and identity.
The cello playing, as expected, is superb but a pleasant surprise was Rawlinson’s singing voice, which added additional emotional and musical texture to the show. The more abstract, surreal segments gave this performance its most affecting moments. These atmospheric interludes often said more than words, and were a highlight of the theatrical portions of the show.
One of the strongest elements of the performance is Rawlinson’s portrayal of his psychotic break, not as retrospective trauma, but from the perspective of someone experiencing it in real time. These scenes were raw and immersive, offering a window into mental collapse that felt neither melodramatic nor clinical, but authentically lived.”
-Ashley Frantik
Winnipeg Free Press – 4 Stars
“A vulnerable young gay man aspires to be a concert cellist, but the trauma of a Mormon upbringing, drug use and psychological distress put his dreams on hold.
Given the abdication of dignity that can come along with elite pursuit, owing to the historic amount of abuse in classical music against anyone who isn’t a cis male, the cure can be worse than the disease.
Their loss. Here is a brave queer soul finally living his best life: a story well told by the Chicago-based actor-musician, interspersed with well-handled Rachmaninoff in the titular minor key.”
-Lara Rae
“Nervous Breakdown in G Minor drew the strongest response of any production I have seen at this Fringe. It’s a personal redemption story, well told and performed, but with Rawlinson’s exquisite cello playing as a bonus. I really appreciate the way he integrated Rachmaninoff’s work into the narrative.
You really owe it to yourselves to take in one of the final performances of this work.” -Kevin Longfield
Jenny Revue
“Part memoir, part concert, Nervous Breakdown in G Minor is a solo performance that blends queerness, addiction, and mental illness through the lens of a young American cellist. Lewis Rawlinson brings vulnerability and emotional depth to the stage, weaving his personal story with fragments of memory, music, and identity.
The cello playing, as expected, is superb but a pleasant surprise was Rawlinson’s singing voice, which added additional emotional and musical texture to the show. The more abstract, surreal segments gave this performance its most affecting moments. These atmospheric interludes often said more than words, and were a highlight of the theatrical portions of the show.
One of the strongest elements of the performance is Rawlinson’s portrayal of his psychotic break, not as retrospective trauma, but from the perspective of someone experiencing it in real time. These scenes were raw and immersive, offering a window into mental collapse that felt neither melodramatic nor clinical, but authentically lived.”
-Ashley Frantik
Winnipeg Free Press – 4 Stars
“A vulnerable young gay man aspires to be a concert cellist, but the trauma of a Mormon upbringing, drug use and psychological distress put his dreams on hold.
Given the abdication of dignity that can come along with elite pursuit, owing to the historic amount of abuse in classical music against anyone who isn’t a cis male, the cure can be worse than the disease.
Their loss. Here is a brave queer soul finally living his best life: a story well told by the Chicago-based actor-musician, interspersed with well-handled Rachmaninoff in the titular minor key.”
-Lara Rae
Audience Testimonials
Full Reviews Available Here
-“Yesterday, I had the privilege of witnessing Lewis Rawlinson’s solo show ‘Nervous Breakdown in G Minor,’ and I must say, it was a profoundly moving experience. I felt a deep connection to Mr. Rawlinson’s story and performance... Ten minutes into the show, and I thought to myself, “he’s talking about me!”, recognizing aspects of my own journey in his story... It was both cathartic and validating to see my own experiences reflected on stage. Mr. Rawlinson’s performance was breathtaking, funny, quirky, vulnerable, with a mesmerizing blend of music, storytelling, and physicality. His cello playing is absolutely exquisite, conveying the emotional intensity and vulnerability that defined his narrative. Very moving.... It was a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that art can be a potent tool for healing and connection.... Ultimately, I was an emotional wreck at the end of the show, and he very much deserved the standing ovation. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and the transformative power of art, and Mr. Rawlinson’s performance is a masterclass in storytelling, musicianship, and vulnerability. My rating Is 5/5 stars.”
-“5 Stars. Vulnerable and profound with moments that left the audience in tears – both from laughter and heartbreak. A healing show, a must-see for any classical musicians especially! Highlight of the fringe. Includes a full performance of a beautifully performed cello sonata, so the ticket is well worth the cost! Bravo.”
-“One of the best fringe shows I have ever seen so far! This is a masterpiece must-see! 5 stars.”
-“This might be the best fringe show I have ever seen. Impeccable. And I could tell the audience agreed.”
-“Don’t think I’ll be able to put into words just how much this show moved me, but WOW, what a beautiful piece of art this show is. Lewis is so funny, captivating, and clearly passionate about performance. Some people are truly meant to tell stories and he proves that with this piece. Talented is an understatement. If you’re a musician, see this show. If you’re queer, see this show. If you’re a queer musician, see this show. Such a gifted artist, I’m still mesmerized.”
-“Lewis was able to pull me into his performance by getting me into his mental space through his excellent storytelling and the meaning infused into the piece from Rachmaninoff that serves as the backbone of the story. This feels like a passion project a lifetime in the making. A cathartic experience no doubt for the performer. He made me feel his transformation and live in his world and did so in a VERY short time. A testament to quite his amazingly compact storytelling ability through performance and music. Must see.”
-“A performance that will tug at your heartstrings! Rawlinson’s musical and individual transparency fosters genuine connection.”
-“The most deeply relatable piece of art I’ve seen in a long time, this show was everything I didn’t know I needed. Therapeutic for artist and audience alike with truly moving cello playing.”
-“Yesterday, I had the privilege of witnessing Lewis Rawlinson’s solo show ‘Nervous Breakdown in G Minor,’ and I must say, it was a profoundly moving experience. I felt a deep connection to Mr. Rawlinson’s story and performance... Ten minutes into the show, and I thought to myself, “he’s talking about me!”, recognizing aspects of my own journey in his story... It was both cathartic and validating to see my own experiences reflected on stage. Mr. Rawlinson’s performance was breathtaking, funny, quirky, vulnerable, with a mesmerizing blend of music, storytelling, and physicality. His cello playing is absolutely exquisite, conveying the emotional intensity and vulnerability that defined his narrative. Very moving.... It was a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that art can be a potent tool for healing and connection.... Ultimately, I was an emotional wreck at the end of the show, and he very much deserved the standing ovation. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and the transformative power of art, and Mr. Rawlinson’s performance is a masterclass in storytelling, musicianship, and vulnerability. My rating Is 5/5 stars.”
-“5 Stars. Vulnerable and profound with moments that left the audience in tears – both from laughter and heartbreak. A healing show, a must-see for any classical musicians especially! Highlight of the fringe. Includes a full performance of a beautifully performed cello sonata, so the ticket is well worth the cost! Bravo.”
-“One of the best fringe shows I have ever seen so far! This is a masterpiece must-see! 5 stars.”
-“This might be the best fringe show I have ever seen. Impeccable. And I could tell the audience agreed.”
-“Don’t think I’ll be able to put into words just how much this show moved me, but WOW, what a beautiful piece of art this show is. Lewis is so funny, captivating, and clearly passionate about performance. Some people are truly meant to tell stories and he proves that with this piece. Talented is an understatement. If you’re a musician, see this show. If you’re queer, see this show. If you’re a queer musician, see this show. Such a gifted artist, I’m still mesmerized.”
-“Lewis was able to pull me into his performance by getting me into his mental space through his excellent storytelling and the meaning infused into the piece from Rachmaninoff that serves as the backbone of the story. This feels like a passion project a lifetime in the making. A cathartic experience no doubt for the performer. He made me feel his transformation and live in his world and did so in a VERY short time. A testament to quite his amazingly compact storytelling ability through performance and music. Must see.”
-“A performance that will tug at your heartstrings! Rawlinson’s musical and individual transparency fosters genuine connection.”
-“The most deeply relatable piece of art I’ve seen in a long time, this show was everything I didn’t know I needed. Therapeutic for artist and audience alike with truly moving cello playing.”
Artist Testimonials
“Lewis Rawlinson’s Nervous Breakdown in G Minor is a beautifully devised and deeply moving performance that weaves musical virtuosity, humor, and drama while drawing parallels between the great composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and Mr. Rawlinson’s own journey as a promising classical musician and his nearly devastating struggles with religious upbringing, identity, and mental health. Funny, heartbreaking and uplifting, Nervous Breakdown in G Minor is the kind theatrical performance that inspires one to truly believe in the transformative power of music.”
-Henry Godinez, Artistic Associate at Goodman Theatre
“In this autobiographical piece, Rawlinson inhabits the most courageous of theatrical spaces: reliving his own pain so that an audience might have an easier time navigating with their own. He does so with extraordinary aplomb through moments alternately both hilarious and heartbreaking. And then, when words are either too much or not enough, he continues the storytelling through his virtuosic musicianship. It is a truly a masterful and cathartic evening of theatre.”
-Chris Pazdernik, Jeff Award-winning director and producer
"Lewis Rawlinson has created an exceptional journey of a show. It traverses the darkest lows and the grandest highs of a Mormon-raised classical music savant who, inconveniently, happens to be queer. Lewis performs his true stories with gut-wrenching passion and humor while captivating the audience with amazing musicianship. Even while working with Lewis closely as his director, I felt my breath taken away many times."
-Stephanie Rogers, director of NERVOUS BREAKDOWN and producer of Story Jam Chicago
-Henry Godinez, Artistic Associate at Goodman Theatre
“In this autobiographical piece, Rawlinson inhabits the most courageous of theatrical spaces: reliving his own pain so that an audience might have an easier time navigating with their own. He does so with extraordinary aplomb through moments alternately both hilarious and heartbreaking. And then, when words are either too much or not enough, he continues the storytelling through his virtuosic musicianship. It is a truly a masterful and cathartic evening of theatre.”
-Chris Pazdernik, Jeff Award-winning director and producer
"Lewis Rawlinson has created an exceptional journey of a show. It traverses the darkest lows and the grandest highs of a Mormon-raised classical music savant who, inconveniently, happens to be queer. Lewis performs his true stories with gut-wrenching passion and humor while captivating the audience with amazing musicianship. Even while working with Lewis closely as his director, I felt my breath taken away many times."
-Stephanie Rogers, director of NERVOUS BREAKDOWN and producer of Story Jam Chicago
Interview
Print: click here
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