Episode 30: Mamie Parris Gets Muddy About Bell's Palsy

Into The Mud Podcast

Imagine waking up one morning, looking at yourself in the mirror, and suddenly noticing that one side of your face is paralyzed. Is it a stroke? Is this permanent? Why do I not look like myself? How terrifying and shocking.

This is the exact circumstance that has fallen on Broadway actress, Mamie Parris, and unfortunately, this is not her first rodeo with the medical phenomenon known as Bell’s palsy. Most cases of this temporary facial paralysis can resolve itself within a few short weeks, but for Mamie, she is approaching a year. Tune in this week to hear her remarkable story of resilience, patience and strength while confronting this challenging chapter of her life.

Bio: Mamie Parris has developed a diverse and unique body of work throughout her extensive career. Best known on Broadway for her one-of-a-kind rendition of the iconic “Memory” she is no stranger to the work of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, having starred as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats, as Rosalie (closing cast) and Patty (opening cast) in Broadway’s School of Rock, and- most recently- in the US Premier of the Lloyd Webber retrospective Unmasked. Other Broadway appearances include the Tony-nominated revivals of Ragtime, 110 In The Shade, and On The 20th Century, as well as the Tony winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone. Her film and television credits include The Blacklist, State of Affairs, A Standup Guy and PBS Great Performances "50 Years of Broadway's Best".

Across the country, she appeared as Elphaba in the First National Tour of fan-favorite Wicked, as well as performing with the touring companies of Legally Blonde and Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mamie attended the Paseo Academy of the Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, before graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic academy in New York City. She resides in New York City with her husband, Johnathan, and shih tsu mix, Cookie.

Mamie’s Social Media: @MamieParrisOfficial, www.MamieParris.com

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Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost). Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village.
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