Everyone walked away with a different reaction to the message at hand and possibly, with a green ball in their coat pocket. On March 18, at The Elysian Theater, the versatile entertainer Jerah Milligan performed a one-man show, “But Did You Die?” Well-known for his diverse contributions to movies and television, Milligan hopped on the stage to tell a very personal story that confronted the silence behind mental health for Black men.
The show carried a lightness to its execution, given the topic at hand was suicide. Milligan allowed the audience to follow him into a memory that could have been his last. He was contemplating the worth of living and pursuing his career versus the grind and heaviness that one carries to show up the next day.
The L.A. Sentinel caught up with an audience member after the show. Camrus Johnson shared his reaction.
“I really loved this show, I think it’s really hard for Black men to express their emotions. He touches on that very beautifully in the show. It’s been a beautiful new way—in the last couple years, finding ways to say how we’re feeling. And it’s really interesting that he used this show as a way to heal, as a way to finally say the things he hasn’t been able to say his entire life,” According to Johnson, none of Milligan’s friends or loved ones knew that the show was going to take place prior to the invite.
Milligan led with laughter through his jokes and banter; the program explored Milligan’s path from his high points to his darkest moments on his journey through life and the entertainment business.
The show was an interactive installation. As guests arrived and checked in, they were invited to take a small green ball and a small red ball. Filling the theater seats, audience members could stop at the stage and write down questions for Milligan to answer, no matter how personal.
At some point during the show, viewers were instructed to throw each ball toward Milligan on stage, symbolizing what type of season they were in. The red ball represented dark times, and the green ball represented the experience of feeling a high point. Later, guests were able to chat with Milligan’s AI avatar as the actor answered each question authentically.
The performance had two viewings. Milligan considered the experience of both shows.
“…The first night also had more people I’ve known most of my life; it was a little bit tougher.”
Milligan continued, “I think today, the storytelling was better for me. While yesterday, I had the energy from the crowd, because it was with people I knew forever, and it was my birthday— but I feel better about the storytelling tonight,” Milligan said.
Milligan’s credits spell out hard work. He co-created and acted in “Astronomy Club,” a Netflix series produced by Dan Powell and Kenya Barris. In addition to directing sketch pieces for Yvonne Orji’s HBO Special, “A Whole Me,” Milligan co-wrote, executive produced, and starred in an original pilot on HBO Max, demonstrating his versatility.
The Elysian Theater, a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting avant-garde and cutting-edge live comedy and performance. Located on 1944 Riverside Dr., the theater rapidly developed into a gathering place for both seasoned and up-and-coming artists looking for a place to create original work.
Healing shows up differently in the body. After the show, Milligan explained his healing as a call for rest and awareness.
“…I want to say it has been healing—I feel like I can say the word ‘suicide’ now; I never could do it before—this show, even rehearsing for it, I always left it blank. I never thought I would talk about this.”
Stay tuned for more work from Milligan on Instagram @jerahmilligan.
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