Today, Abby Goldfarb takes the reins to talk about turning her unconventional childhood into an original musical for the Fringe.
I was six years old when my elementary school computer asked me my name and I said, “Hi! I’m Abby and I have TWO moms!”
Being the daughter of lesbians has been my identity since birth (I had no choice in the matter). But as I grew up, the lesbians separated, found new partners and kept multiplying. I expanded with it, and my search to distinguish myself from that identity did too. Who am I besides the daughter of a woman who literally inseminated herself with a turkey baster.
And who would I be if I didn’t turn this into a musical?
“This is the first time in my life where I have created something original, personal, and important to me – I get to decide what’s next for me. I determine my own self-worth.“
In an alternate universe, my show would have been a compare and contrast between me and Jesus. But thankfully for you, due to my lack of religious knowledge or interest, that is not what my show will focus on at EdFringe (maybe next year?).
In this universe, the show utilises my favourite musical genres and styles to illustrate the many identities I tried on to fit in and be “normal.” My co-composer Jody Shelton (Baby Wants Candy) and I started writing the show together in 2024 and the first song we wrote was “I’m Straight” (where I come out to my moms… as straight). It’s giving “I’m Coming Out” in its 80’s style – obviously, the song must be a gay anthem when talking about such a vulnerable topic like being heterosexual. Jody and I clicked immediately. We have a similar sense of humour and work ethic and found ourselves writing full songs in an hour like maniacs.
As the show has developed over the past 2 years, my director Eddie Grey has pushed me to figure out why I want to tell my story right now – what does my show have to say? We finally came to the realization that the reason I started writing the show was because I experienced career heartbreak and felt like a failure. I want to prove to myself that I can still find “success” – even if it doesn’t look the way I thought it would. I am done with the feeling that unless we achieve these lofty big dreams, we have no inherent value. This is the first time in my life where I have created something original, personal, and important to me – I get to decide what’s next for me. I determine my own self-worth.
“In this universe, the show utilises my favourite musical genres and styles to illustrate the many identities I tried on to fit in and be “normal.”
I’m proud to be the girl with all the moms. The girl who rode on the back of her mom’s rusty old Schwinn bicycle to school every day. The girl who dreamed big – and the woman who still does.
What comes next? Come find out with me at the show – we will work through it together in group therapy (where only I will talk…).
Welcome to The Phoenix Remix 
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