Recovering Eldest Daughter → Rachel Tunaley

Calling all over-achieving, family-event-planning eldest daughters with a most-likely case of undiagnosed OCD, THIS SHOW is about us! Recovering Eldest Daughter by Rachel Tunaley is a hilariously self-aware unpacking of eldest-daughter syndrome, but make it a witty solo musical cabaret! 


This is Rachel Tunaley’s third self-produced cabaret show, and I believe she has fully nailed it with this new work. Out of the gate the narrative is clear, we are introduced to Rachel herself having just arranged the Mother’s Day present and breakfast (who else has been there before? ha!). When her brother announces their gender transition, suddenly Rachel’s title of Eldest Daughter can be relinquished! Eager to rid herself of the stereotypical expectations, what follows is a cleverly executed plot about Rachel exploring those inner workings of her identity, the role within her family and her mothering-relationships with gamer boys…


Tunaley is truly a powerhouse performer, brimming with a bold sense of bravado and theatricality. The show transitions seamlessly between her dialogue with pre-recorded voices and her hit original songs. She had the audience cackling at her lyrics that cleverly poked fun at Eldest Daughter traits. I must commend her genius personification of intrusive thoughts into the Intrusive THOT character - this song was a hoot! 

Tunaley lays bare this part of herself with a disarming honesty, combining musical comedy with the hard truths of what society expects from the eldest daughters that keep most families functioning. You will transition between outbursts of laughter to impactful personal reflection, which to me is the perfect audience response. This work truly deserves all the praise, please don’t miss it! 



 

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