A distinctive theatrical event, “Life Review: The Hospice Musical,” is scheduled for May 9. This one-night-only concert and live album recording will take place at the Arellano Theater located in Levering Hall on the Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University.
While the experience of hospice care might not be the first association with musical theater, the use of music can beautifully articulate what many struggle to express in words. Benjamin Kintisch, a trained cantor and former chaplain from Columbia, Maryland, has crafted “Life Review” by transforming real stories from hospice patients over more than a decade into poignant songs.
This musical presentation has been previously showcased, earning praise at various events including the Asheville Fringe Festival and the Charm City Fringe Festival, as well as receiving an online performance from London. It has also been honored with a 2025 Maryland State Arts Council Creativity Grant.
The narrative unfolds in a fictional setting called “Hopeful Hospice,” the final abode for a collection of hospice patients. Audiences will witness intimate dialogues between these patients and their chaplain, a rabbi, as they are beautifully reimagined through music. Each patient’s journey encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, relationships, and cherished memories.
“This is a musical about listening, presence, and the significance of truly being heard,” stated Kintisch on his Kickstarter page for the initiative. He likens the production to a blend of “A Chorus Line” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”
On May 9, the performance will feature five musicians from the Peabody Institute, playing instruments such as the violin, cello, clarinet, flute, and piano. Additionally, five professional vocalists from Baltimore will lend their voices to this full live album recording, enabling the creators to extend the reach of the music beyond the confines of the concert hall.
To finance the production costs for the May 9 event and recording, Kintisch initiated a Kickstarter campaign. In this campaign, he addressed a common question from potential supporters: “Is this some kind of joke?”
“’Life Review: The Hospice Musical’ is a legitimate show, an original musical comedy exploring themes of love and loss over three seasons at a residential hospice,” Kintisch clarified. “Concerns about the seriousness of the material are not unusual; while the dialogue includes humor, we tackle profound issues with care and respect.”
Key themes of the production include the inevitability of death, the celebration of love and friendship, the experience of grief and loss, and the challenges brought on by aging and disability. Kintisch expressed that music serves as a medium to approach these topics with warmth and artistry, highlighting the overarching theme of storytelling and the sacredness of listening.
The performance will last approximately 90 minutes, followed by a dessert reception for attendees. Additionally, there will be opportunities for optional small group discussions about the themes presented in the show. Available group topics include:
- “Spoiler alert!” – Dark humor and our shared mortality
- “Send Me a Sign!” – Theological Issues at End-of-Life
- “With These Hands” – The blessings and challenges of the body through aging and illness
- “Life Review” – An interactive storytelling workshop
Tickets are available at prices ranging from $23.18 to $108.55 and can be purchased up until the day of the performance.
