Celebrating 10 Years of “Real Love” 

On October 8, 2025, the night before John Lennon’s 85th birthday, the joyful sounds of John Lennon and Beatles classics rang out at the Red Door Community (RDC), where no one faces cancer alone. 

The special occasion was a free concert, produced by Theatre Within, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of our John Lennon Real Love Project (JLRLP) songwriting workshop.

What began in the fall of 2015 as an experimental 4-week series for teens has blossomed into an ongoing music program for adult cancer patients and survivors, children who have lost a parent, and adults who have lost a spouse.

Reflecting on the JLRLP’s lasting impact, Migdalia Torres, the RDC’s Executive Director of Programs, told the audience: 

“For the past decade Theatre Within has given our members a priceless gift with the John Lennon Real Love project and its other programs. Theatre Within brings workshops in songwriting, the visuals arts, and much more to give our members a way to express all the different emotions they’re feeling. These workshops help so many who have been impacted by cancer turn their pain into beauty and find joy and strength in the midst of a major life challenge. Theatre Within programs have touched so many lives and the organization’s generosity lives in the spirits of everyone who has experienced them.”

Joe Raiola, Theatre Within’s Executive/Artistic Director, added, “Migdalia’s words touch my heart because she has been with us from the beginning.  Her support has been key to the program taking deep root and growing into what it is today. So many songs have been written and shared. And, of course, John Lennon is a wonderful inspiration for that.”  

Concert performers included JLRLP instructors Tony Conniff (adult workshop leader), Mel Johnstone (children’s workshop leader), and Miranda Hardy (workshop leader for our Gilda’s Club Chicago group). They were joined by Cliff Mays, Mayya Marie, and Hanasara Ito. Thanks to everyone for sharing their time, talent and love!