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Most of us (At least the ones of us who are beyond the expected half way point of our lives.) have experienced it.

For me, it’s hanging over my ears. It doesn’t hurt anyone else, and it makes me feel better about myself.

Yes, the mid-life (or beyond) crisis that men experience can be strange.

They can also be helpful. And funny. And entertaining.

Just ask Daryl Rosenbaum. He’s becoming the master of all three – and you can be a part of it.

The Mocksville resident has written a musical, “Admission,” and auditions will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Brock Performing Arts Center in Mocksville. Get audition details at: admissionmusical@gmail.com. Performances are scheduled for late October.

“I have had a strang mid-life crisis that led me to write a musical,” he said. “It is actually pretty good, enough that I am now compelled to share it with an audience.”

The Davie County Arts Council is supporting his effort, and Ignite Davie will be a beneficiary.

A win-win-win.

It’s Rosenbaum’s first entry into producing a musical, and naturally, he’s worried. Will anybody show up for auditions? Make him proud. Adults and teens are welcome to audition, so give it a try.

“We are looking for a cast of adult and teen actors to bring an original musical to life,” he said. “If you would be excited by the challenge of originating a role and collaborating as a team to stage a world premier, please consider auditioning. Behind the scenes help would be welcome, too.”

Daryl has been promoting his musical for a few years now, and it has fared well at festivals of new musicals, reaching second place last year at a Texas event.

“This original musical comedy pokes fun at the ocllge admissions frenzy while examining themes of the modern parent-child relationship and the nature of privilege in its various forms,” he said. “A mother has high hopes and dark fears for her teenage son’s future, but he is just trying to figure out how to survive the day on front of him.

“As they stumble their way through the absurdity that is the college admissions arms race, Mom is tempted again and again to push the envelope. How far will she go to buldoze a safe path for her son in these uncertain times?

“Their journey takes them from the office of a corner-cutting guidance counselor to an admissions pitch turned revival and a discomfiting encounter with a pack of know-it-alls on a campus tour to the tentacles of a mercenary advisor.”

Wow. Any family who has been through this process knows the anguish it can cause.

“Will building tension threaten the complex bond between parent and child?”

The score is rich with humor and hooks, and explores the family duynamic which, in turn, may shine a light on your own experiences.

“Admit it, you might do it too,” Daryl said.

Benjamin Dean Taylor is helping Daryl with musican scores.

Daryl is a faculty member at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, which may have helped him write the musical. In addition to being a founding member of an a capella singing group at the university, his teaching style is anything but normal.

He is notorious for using improv comedy, role play, and music to keep students engaged.

Rosenbaum has written numerous health literacy articles, and has had 17 peer-reviewed scientific papers published. His research interests range from  concussions to medical education but the study that garnered the most attention proved that men are far more guilty than women when it comes to faking injuries in soccer.

Hey, with a style such as this, “Admission” has to be a hit.

“I enjoyed this script and the music clips provided added interest,” said a judge from the Tyler (Texas) Civic Theatre New Plays Festival. “I could definitely see this show being staged and audiences finding it quite appealing, expecially older teens and their parents, as well as those who’ve already endured the great collegte admissions crapshoot. I was amused reading this script, fun, thoughtful, wry and easy to envision.”

That’s a pretty good endorsement for a play that hasn’t reached a stage yet.

And you can be a part of the first show. Just show up Saturday for the auditions.

– Mike Barnhardt