Maybe you’ve heard about the production Label Less by Lea and Drew Lachey here in Cincinnati. Maybe you haven’t. But if you have a chance to see it, GO! First of all, a nod to all the artists involved in the creation, direction, and implementation of this musical. Bravo! You are not just a spectator, you are a participant in this production that combines narration and musical numbers with interpretive dance pulling you into the emotional realm of empathy. A powerful invocation drawing from your own experiences and the humanness within us all. Note: You may experience deep emotional responses to the show. Be kind to yourself and schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist to process your own experiences.

Empathy as Entertainment

Calling on current issues, and perpetuating issues, Label-Less sets out to challenge the existing bias, stigmas, and hate that are present within each of us. As expected, they targeted the most widely polarizing issues of today - sexuality and LGBTQIA+ issues, sexism, and racism. But this production went beyond that to target smaller, lesser acknowledged stigmatizations and biases such as economic status, body image, and cyber bullying.

The judgments and stigma that target all facets of a person’s life. For example, a person’s economic status and employment status. How much is in the bank or the uniform they wear for work (janitor coveralls vs business suit) are ways we judge each other. In a split second, we size up a persons worth because of some exterior measure. Yet while we judge others, we fear the judgment they have of us.

Where is the love

The show challenges us to consider what’s left when we strip it all away. When we strip it away - the color, size, gender, money, job - we are left with a commonality within each of us. Moving words, stories, and artistic expressions challenged the participant to consider themselves as human. just a human that craves kindness from others. Maybe a message first taught through the Golden Rule, but interpreted for today’s world of passionate expression and assertiveness. If we are all essentially the same underneath it all, then where is the love? The love for self, others, groups similar and different? Strip the labels from yourself and you can strip the labels from the around you. You can begin to live, Label- Less.

Be Well.