Singer-songwriter Amy Engelhardt talks upcoming show ‘IMPACT’: “It’s an honor to celebrate these people who embodied the best of humanity in the worst of circumstances”

The American performer returns to the London scene with this one-woman show honouring the 1988 Pan Am plane crash victims – five of whom were her own peers while studying at University. Guillermo Nazara chats with the author, to learn the most interesting facts about the creation of this piece, whose tragic inspiration is meant to inspire others about the key matters of life.

We know what prompted you to write a show like this, but what themes have you tried to explore through it? 

Actually, you may think you know, but maybe not! IMPACT was inspired not by the bombing itself, but by the beautiful people I met in Lockerbie in spring 2019. I tacked the weekend onto a gig in London (as a singing, Satanic Mother Superior at the Good Omens premiere – couldn’t make that up). As a Syracuse University alumna, I knew 5 of the 35 Syracuse students on that plane on 21 December 1988. I’d always wanted to go to pay my respects ended up going with two people who were intensely connected to it. The trip itself was the result of some 30+ odd, seemingly random “thin moments” or “follow-signs” I’d experienced in the six months prior, all hearkening back to Pan Am Flight 103.

IMPACT is an American love letter to all of the “helpers” in these kinds of situations – these people selflessly cared for victims and their families 30 years ago while dealing with their own traumas. We are all connected by the grief, yes – but more importantly, by the kindness these people showed in the aftermath. Some have likened the heart of IMPACT to Come From Away (but IMPACT has considerably less…dancing). I never thought this journey would be the uplifting, life-changing experience it became. This jaded comedy writer came back with a new understanding of the power of kindness, the importance of showing up, how we can support each other in world rife with natural and man-made catastrophes, and why sometimes it’s good to embrace life’s more mystical “thin moments.”

Does the opening of this piece come as a bittersweet experience to you? 

Not at all. In fact, the opposite. IMPACT is a hearty mix of the somber, the silly, the unthinkable and the beautiful. It’s an honor to celebrate these people who embodied the best of humanity in the worst of circumstances. And connecting with audiences on all of these levels is what theatre is about. My favorite part of the show is afterwards, when audiences from the UK to Los Angeles have felt compelled to share their stories of kindness and connection with me. If I can lift or move or shift something for someone, even if briefly through music and humor and shared experiences, I’ve done my job.

With the subject being so close to your heart, have you had to compartmentalize your personal attachment for the sake of your artistic decisions? 

This brings to mind Canadian songstress Jane Siberry’s song “Writers are a Funny Breed.” As a writer, I am able to embrace the places emotional roads lead to while keeping a close eye on form and structure. And having a wonderful dramaturg/director in Kira Simring (of the cell theatre in New York) helped a lot. Writers tend to see stories with several sets of eyes simultaneously. Also, this is really not MY story, even though it’s told through the perspective of my journey.

What has the process of creating this piece been like? Has the creation of this show served, in some way, as a means of healing to you? 

Well, I’m primarily a comedy writer and composer/lyricist, trained as a classical and musical theatre performer. I toured with and wrote for a Grammy-nominated vocal quartet for many years then came back to theatre. So although I’ve done everything I do in IMPACT before, I never expected to do a solo show – and certainly not about this (although there is much levity in IMPACT). I don’t even like most one-person shows! But the tale from stem to stern was so compelling, I felt like it was telling me to share it. So yes, it’s been therapeutic in some way, but my goal is to show audiences a new way to look at ALL challenging times and events with a renewed sense of perspective. It’s possible to assert that life will continue to deal terrible blows, but focusing on our humanity, our response and how we treat each other is equally as important.

How will this piece impact viewers? Why come see IMPACT? 

Today, everyone you know either knows someone, knows someone WHO knows someone or IS someone who has been touched by tragedy – man-made or natural. If you’d like to have your soul soothed, your faith in humanity renewed, a laugh and and a tear, if you like a sweet cello line, a funky groove and soaring songs and stories, meet me at the Baron’s Court!

IMPACT plays at Barons Court Theatre from 15-17 November. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara