Charlie: Saw your show last month in Los Angeles. Bravo! Hope you'll take this to cancer center patients around the country, and world. Live long, and live your music!

Mimi, 81 years young, classical pianist
Liposarcoma;

Great show...... My little kids (and their pals) love the CD... their personal faves being "Chemo Brain", "Dr. O", "Nuclear Man" and "Stickin’ Around".
Who knew you could rock to songs about cancer treatment?

Charlie's show is a soul-soothing ticket to healing.

Evan, Los Angeles

Charlie –

First of all, I have to say a gigantic "THANK YOU" for being who you are and for writing and performing ‘Made Me Nuclear’. As an actor and a long-time theatre lover, I've seen a LOT of shows in my time. But it's been a good while since I was as deeply moved and profoundly uplifted by a show as I was by yours!

I want to bring everyone I love & care about to your show, because MMN is truly a gift that — to quote a hackneyed phrase — "keeps on giving". Cancer has touched my own family a number of times – I lost my step-dad to esophageal cancer in 2001, and more recently, my step-sister became a breast cancer survivor, following a double mastectomy.

And as I write these words, I'm awaiting word on the diagnosis re. the breast cancer lumpectomy that was just done on another of my sisters. So your show means a lot to me on a number of levels. But even if my own life were not touched by this disease I know I would STILL be blown away by the healing and very universal impact of the magical theatre experience that is MMN.

Also, meeting you afterward – and being able to share my feelings with you – was an experience as powerful, for me, as the show itself. It's one I won't forget.

Finally, all I can really say is boy was I surprised by what I encountered tonight at the Santa Monica Playhouse! To be very honest, the idea of a one-man musical about cancer did not exactly bode too well in my mind. I felt it would have all the traps (in abundance) which might be expected from such a venture – i.e. pretentiousness, self-pity, cloying sentiment – and, as if that weren't enough, it's all set to MUSIC!

But, surprise of surprises, your amazing show had absolutely NONE of those pitfalls, and I found my self experiencing true joy, laughter, and a transformative, regenerative celebration of life. NOT what I had expected, needless to say. And at the end of the show I found myself unable to speak or move for several minutes.

Charlie – you're a beautiful human being and an extraordinary artist and your unique stage-creation is a theatrical blessing which I hope will have a very long and globe-hopping life ahead of it!

I'll be lookin' for ya on (or off) Broadway, my friend!

With Love and Light,

Paul Day Clemens

Hi Charlie,

Just had to tell you how my group and I loved your show last night at the Partners in Survivorship Dinner. You were fantastic! You brought tears to our eyes, and so much inspiration. Thank you for creating this great show for us, we really need it. I just had my first chemo this morning, and it went a lot easier because you brought so much happiness to me. I'm praying for you and wishing you the best. You really have a gift of expressing yourself, keep it up. Take care.

Aloha,
Maile

The first time I saw Charlie's performane in November I had tears running down my face realizing that my cancer survival story was so similar to his. I was diagnosed with a Sarcoma tumor on my skull in 1998 and had two surgeries to remove it. My daughter (second child- my son was two at the time)was born upstairs from where I had my first surgery the day after I was released from the hospital. I had a subsequent, more radical surgery to ensure clear margins three weeks later and fortunately did not need to undergo any chemothrerapy. Ten years later, I brought my children, including daughter Lauren to see Made Me Nuclear in January. It was an increadible experience and it felt really great to introduce Charlie to Lauren seeing what the hope of 10 years has to offer. My kids really enjoyed the show and I had a talk with them afterward about the importance of making something good from a bad situation. I think it was a great life lesson for them. After listening to the CD on and off for a couple of months between seeing the show, the songs became more meaningful during this second performance I experienced. I was happy to see the large audience so much into the show- enough offer up a great standing ovation. Well done Charlie! You're doing a great thing here.

Mike
El Segundo, CA.

I was completely unprepared. My good friend Ralph Blum told me he wanted to take me to see "something". He did not tell me much about it, quite deliberately, as he didn't want to exert any influence that might predispose me to having some sort of expectation about what I was about to see.

I was privileged to witness a one man show by Charlie Lustman, a composer, singer, guitarist and keyboard player that was simply extraordinary. A moving documentary told through his music, about his recent brush with a nasty form of sarcoma cancer, Lustman transcends his dark subject matter. He gently draws you into his surprising new world of confusion, pain, the "why me" stage, dark humor, acceptance, determination to fight and win and ultimately triumph over the bastard cancer. A tour de force performance that allows you to come along on this strange, moving and beautiful journey, few artists could render their thoughts so cohesively through such an evocative and powerful musical montage, that is all the more so because it is written, sung and performed by the man who lived through it. It feels like someone who has captured part of the human experience, as seen from the absolute edge, a dark edge most of us would prefer to stay well enough away from and brought it back for the rest of us to experience through the exceptionally clear and focused lens of his rare artistry and humanity.

And I loved the songs! Take an hour out of your life and see "Made Me Nuclear". Bring a friend, bring your family. It is an inspiring celebration of life and will make you appreciate being alive just a little bit more.

Doane Perry

Drummer, Jethro Tull
March 2009

The thoughts and fears I have are not mine alone. I knew that, but MMN made it real for me. There were times Charlie took the words right out of my mind. There were times I just knew what he was going to say.

I have a hard time expressing my thoughts and feelings to others. When I broke the news of my cancer to my family and friends, I wore a mask, yet it wasn't an act. I knew I would be okay, and I knew that my experiences would help me positively grow. The last thing I wanted was for people to worry about me. Staying positive helped me through my cancer, yet I haven't given myself an opportunity to express my emotions and thought to others. I thought expressing myself to myself alone in my room would be enough. But it isn't.

Made Me Nuclear is the perfect catalyst to rev up my motors for really dealing with the fears, anger, and sadness I've been running away from for the past one and a half years. I admit I was hesitant to step into the theatre. I knew I'd be an emotional basket case through out it all, and sure enough, I was. But by the end, I felt an amazing relief.

In darkness, even the smallest trace of light is enough to light a path. Charlie is a beacon of light. His words and music spoke to me and warmed me. I am compelled to do better for myself and for others. MMN is a reminder to me of the positive things I learned on my journey with cancer. Life is GREAT! People are amazing. The world is beautiful. And I am here for a reason. THANK YOU CHARLIE!

Danielle

Last night your show was true magic.
I hope your respite is short and that you succeed beyond your fondest dreams in the "Made Me Nuclear" US touring phase.
Because — how can something "this good" take a "vacation"? We need you out there. We need you raising your poignant voice. We need you telling our (cancer survivors) story. Annie and I will never forget that we were there when a true "showman" delivered his finest performance. No "Hamlet" ever inspired more than you did last night.
Thank you.

Blair and Annie Franks

Wow...what an amazing experience. Charlie touched so many of us here...in so many ways. My biggest fear is that I used him up. He was a bit tired when I put him on the airplane. I have had many people tell me that they were intimately touched by his message...and his ability to put everything else aside and concentrate on a person in need. OMG Thank you so much for sending him to us.

Our concert, despite all the other things that were happening that same night, had great attendance....over 60 people in a candlelit venue...very intimate and warm. He performed/connected for over two hours. The next morning he did three performances that reached about 150 elementary kids. He was so great with them. Then he sang some sincere songs with our most fragile...Long Term Care residents.

I am indebted. We are indebted.

Annabelle
Petersburg, Alaska

I am very taken with your story and your whole campaign. Wow! What a gift! What a great example you are! Great unique message and website! After coming out of your own fight with cancer you are using your talents in the perfect way to support and inspire others who are scared going through the same thing... This has brought me to tears... Thank You!
~Love and Light~

Adena
Las Vegas