By Maddie Greer
A small, unassuming blue paperback sits on a shelf behind my desk, tucked between a few cherished keepsakes. If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you’d likely overlook it. But the cover, in its simple script, reads The Butterfly by Neil Bartram, with illustrations by Brian Hill. It’s a brief yet profound story about the ever-evolving butterfly effect.
I haven’t always been one to believe in fate’s guiding hand, but this book was a gift from my high school music director—a person who played a pivotal role in shaping my artistic curiosity and creative confidence. Despite its significance, the book and its grand message were far from my mind as I scrolled through Facebook one day, reading a post about one of my favorite local theaters staging a musical with a unique fundraising initiative. These two parts of my life might seem completely unrelated, but stay with me—I promise, it’ll all connect.
Through a series of conversations with my contact at Asbury Memorial Church—an inclusive congregation known for blending faith and the arts—I had the opportunity to sit down with Ray Ellis, a local actor, former high school choir and theater director, and the star and producer of the upcoming show. We spoke about Asbury’s production of The Story of My Life, its partnerships with Hospice Savannah and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and the remarkable coincidences that brought everything together.
Ellis, a longtime member of Asbury’s arts program, first discovered the music from The Story of My Life sixteen years ago. “It made an immediate impact,” he recalls. “The story, the performances, all of it. It instantly went on my bucket list.” He spent years trying to bring the show to life, pitching it to colleagues in the local arts scene, but for one reason or another, the timing was never quite right.
Then, in 2022, Ellis received a life-altering Parkinson’s diagnosis. As a lifelong performer, he feared how his symptoms—most notably, right-side tremors—might affect his ability to take the stage.
But he wasn’t alone in his uncertainty. One fateful day, while sitting in a neurologist’s office, he ran into Mark Rand, another local performer. A brief conversation revealed a stunning coincidence: they had received the same diagnosis and had both taken time off from performing to process their new reality.
Years before, Ellis had pitched The Story of My Life to Rand. Now, months after their meeting at the doctor’s office, Ellis reached out again. This time, he was calling to check in and share his upcoming Deep Brain Stimulation procedure, which he hoped would alleviate his tremors. He also mentioned the show once more. But Rand was hesitant, replying, “I’ve resigned myself to the reality that I’m never performing again.”
“That just crushed me,” Ellis admits. “I thought to myself, ‘No, no, no. We’re both too young to call it quits. This isn’t over!’”
Determined, Ellis reached out to his longtime friend Dottie Kluttz, founder of the Hospice Savannah Storytelling Program. By the time their conversation ended, they had a plan: they would pitch The Story of My Life to Rand one last time—this time with the promise that proceeds would benefit Hospice and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
“It felt perfect,” Ellis reflects. “I’d always wanted to incorporate Dottie’s program because that’s what this show is about—preserving stories and legacies. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how important it is to understand the impact people have had. I know so little about my own family history, but lately, I’ve been listening to my mom share stories—her joys, struggles, and everything she went through with my dad when he had Alzheimer’s. These stories are treasures, and in my work as a caregiver, I see how much they matter. Just listening to people talk about their lives brings a spark to their eyes.”
Almost as if the universe was giving its approval, Ellis soon received a voicemail from Kristen Kelso, a multi-talented theater artist looking for a reference. Before they hung up, she enthusiastically agreed to direct the show.
With a director, a budget, and several verbal commitments, Ellis made one final call to Rand. “I don’t really like people seeing my tremors,” Ellis remembers telling him, “but what if we got up there together and just shook our way through the whole show?”
Rand was in. And just like that, they were both returning to the stage.
In the days that followed, Asbury’s production of The Story of My Life came together almost effortlessly. Keena Charbonneau joined as music director. Ian Sprague stepped in to design the set. Piece by piece, the vision took shape.
“When I was first diagnosed, I met with Dan Suane, who also has Parkinson’s. He’s on the board of directors for The Michael J. Fox Foundation, representing patients. When I reached out again, he was more than happy to connect me with the foundation, and they were 100% on board with our idea.”
And then, as if to confirm that this was meant to be, a generous Asbury member and friend of the show offered to cover the entire cost of production—meaning that all proceeds would go directly to Hospice Savannah and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
“Everything I’ve put out into the universe has come back within hours of needing it,” Ellis marvels. “There’s been no pushback, no obstacles. It was supposed to happen this way—not sixteen years ago, but now. I needed all these pieces to align perfectly.”
To further support fundraising efforts, Asbury Theater will host a special silent auction on March 29th. Attendees can bid on an array of exciting prizes. Bidding begins at 6:00 PM and continues through intermission.
Near the end of our interview, Ray suddenly turns to me and asks, “Do you remember about ten years ago when I sang ‘The Butterfly’ at your last concert?”
A shiver runs through me, and I’m instantly covered in chills. I could never forget that. It was his yearly tradition—to dedicate a song to his graduating seniors. By the time it was my turn to sit in the audience, tears streaming down my face as he barely made it through the performance himself, I had known Mr. Ellis for six years. I hadn’t made the connection before, but he had.
“Absolutely,” I reply.
“It’s one of my favorite songs in the world,” he says. “I’ve loved it for sixteen years, but truth be told, I never really thought about the lyrics until we sat down for the table read. And now I see it so clearly. My character in The Story of My Life—he’s the butterfly, the gentle wind moving the next right thing forward. And I just can’t stop thinking about how blessed I am to experience my very own butterfly effect.”
Experience the magic of The Story of My Life at Asbury Theater from Friday, March 28th to Sunday, March 30th. Tickets are on sale now.
Asbury Memorial Church will host performances of The Story of My Life, a musical based on the
book by Brian Hill, featuring music and lyrics by Neil Bartram. It will be performed at Asbury
Memorial Church, at 1008 E. Henry Street in Savannah. Shows will be 7 p.m. on Friday, March
28, and Saturday, March 29, along with a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.
About the author
Born and raised in Savannah, Maddie Greer likes to write about her deep-rooted love for the city’s vibrant culture and history. With a passion for uncovering stories that celebrate Savannah’s thriving music and art scenes, Maddie enjoys shining a spotlight on the creative lifeblood of the community. Whether amplifying local voices or exploring beyond the city’s moss curtain, she brings an authentic, homegrown perspective to her work with Savannah Agenda.