AIDS musical to educate

Death can inspire life, or so it did for Steve Schalchlin, composer-lyricist-singer-pianist and the mastermind of the musical, "Living in the Bonus Round," which will be performed 7:30 p.m. today at the Whittenberger Auditorium.\n"How does a songwriter on his deathbed write a few songs in his hospital room and one year later end up in New York with a hit musical off-Broadway?" Schachlin asked. \n"While learning about this success story full of real world 'you can do it, too' inspiration, (the audience) will hear the songs that created this phenomenon," he answered. "(The songs), not so inadvertently, also detail what it feels like for a human being to live with AIDS -- an HIV education program that puts the listener right there in that bedroom surrounded by friends and family and a will to live."\nIn 1996, Schalchlin's songs were put together in a life-affirming musical, "The Last Session." Shortly after composing the musical, he complimented his work on stage by composing an online diary, which can be found on his Website, www.bonusround.com. \n"I call this the Bonus Round because I shouldn't even be alive," he said on his Web site. "In the Bonus Round, time goes faster and the prizes are better."\nSeeing Schalchlin's "Life in the Bonus Round" was a prize unto itself for Kathyrn Brown, a health educator. She said hearing his voice several years ago just once was enough to convince her to bring Schachlin and his music to IU.\n"He's so wonderful and his music is so beautiful," Brown said. "He's so uplifting and positive, in spite of all that he's been through. It's just the message -- have compassion and understanding no matter what."\nShe said today's performance will shatter any stereotypes or misconceptions of the disease and its treatment.\n"I think a lot of people today think that the problem has been solved because we have these new medications," she said. "But people don't realize the tremendous negative toll these take on a person's body … We don't have a cure, and we need to understand what people are going through, a compassionate attitude that can be applied to any negative situation, disability or illness people have."\nJunior Vaughn Allen, president of Union Board, said he hopes students gain a better understanding of the AIDS epidemic that is becoming a bigger world issue every day.\n"It's an uplifting performance," Allen said. "I think people fear they'll be depressed or down, and my hope is that everyone learns something and comes out feeling good."\nSchalchlin said he has been featured in magazines and recognized by universities for his creativity and energy in raising awareness about AIDS and HIV -- recognition he said he greatly appreciates.\n"But mostly, I do this because I know when students hear my songs and my story, it changes them. It changes nearly every single person who attends," he said. "Ultimately, my goal is to make sure every person who hears my story knows they never have to become infected with HIV."\n"Living in the Bonus Round" is co-sponsored by Health and Wellness Education, Community AIDS Action Group, Richland Bean-Blossom Schools, OUT, GLBT, Lascivious Exhibitions, PFLAG and Indiana University's Department of Theater and Drama. \nIt will be performed 7:30 p.m. today in the Whittenberger Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.