Brain Chemistry for Lovers

LOVE.

What is it? Why do we spend so much of our lives trying to find it? Keep it? Or get over it….?

“Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell…” - Joan Crawford

THE PRODUCTION: Passion x Science = Entertainment²

BRAIN CHEMISTRY FOR LOVERS is the brain-child of singer Valerie Day. Inspired by a National Geographic article about love and the chemicals in the brain, she conceived a multi-media performance piece that takes on this universal theme, with a twist — the performance incorporates the discoveries of today’s neuro-scientists, who are finally crossing into the territory of the poet, the philosopher, the songwriter, (and the comedian!), to explain the feelings associated with Romantic Love.

Brain Chemistry for Lovers considers the stages of a relationship (Lust, Attraction, Rejection, and Attachment), connects them to the brain chemicals occurring in each stage (Dopamine, Seratonin, and Oxytocyn, among others) — and then expresses each through familiar selections of American popular song.

“Who needs physics when we’ve got Chemistry?” from “Peggy Sue Got Married”

The story behind the strongest human emotion was created in collaboration with pianist Darrell Grant, filmmaker Jim Blashfield, composer/arranger John Smith, and OHSU neuroscientist Dr. Larry Sherman Ph.D. In addition to music, narrative, and quotations from writers and philosophers throughout the ages, the chemical story of love is told through the relationship of an imaginary couple called Alice and Bob.

bc_alicebob1

Dr. Sherman also makes an appearance on screen to help when the science of love gets a little rough and needs further explanation.

Romantic Love has been the inspiration behind mankind’s greatest artistic achievements from the Taj Mahal to Tin Pan Alley. Brain Chemistry For Lovers combines the artistic perspective with the scientific, engaging, entertaining, and captivating audiences with a fresh new look at humanity’s oldest conundrum.

LOVE, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder… It is sometimes fatal, but more frequently to the physician than to the patient.

Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary, 1911

“If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?” – Lily Tomlin

Here are a few photos from the premier performance of Brain Chemistry For Lovers with Maestro Yaccov Bergman and the Portland Chamber Orchestra at the Newmark Theater in Portland Oregon. The performance was a co-presentation of the PCO, OHSU’s Brain Awareness Lecture Series in partnership with the PDX Jazz Festival.