From Foster Care to Fabulous
Book, Music & Lyrics by Patrick Burns
From Foster Care to Fabulous is my original one-man musical, blending storytelling, music, and humor to chronicle my experiences growing up in Oakland’s foster care system. Through a whirlwind of jaw-dropping and side-splitting anecdotes, I embody a cast of characters both horrific and hilarious, ultimately revealing a story that is heartfelt, hopeful, and uniquely mine.
Since premiering in 2010 with the Ahimsa Collective in Los Angeles, the show has been performed at theatres, festivals, and fundraisers across the country, including the New York International Fringe Festival, New Helvetia Theatre (Sacramento), and Redhouse Arts Center (Syracuse).
Performances have benefited organizations including Fostering Imagination, Beyond Emancipation, East Bay Children’s Law Offices, and Just In Time for Foster Youth. Whether on stage or in community events, the show uses storytelling as a tool for awareness, advocacy, and change.
Awards & Recognition
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Planet Activist Award, Planet Connections Theatre Festivity (2013) for raising awareness of foster youth
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Nominated for Best Solo Production and Best Solo Performance at Planet Connections
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Supported by a Puffin Foundation grant
Press
“A hilarious, sincere, and very relevant exposé of a system that does not get much attention in the musical theatre world.” – theasy.com
“Patrick Burns is a raconteur to be reckoned with.” – StageBuddy
“Hysterical, terribly politically incorrect characterizations and anecdotes… Only a handful of performers could yank tears out of an audience’s eyes with a speech about penguins. Burns is one of them.” – Ryan Imhoff