Borrowed Lives – Details, episodes & analysis

Borrowed Lives: Coming May 6, 2025. Written by playwright and host, David Bareford, Borrowed Lives will thrust you back in time to the shadowy streets of 1871 Chicago. When Elise DeJong dies, her ordeal is only just beginning. Thrust into a bewildering cycle of body-swapping upon death, Elise finds herself trapped in the bodies of other people and hunted by a ruthless cult determined to eradicate those who defy mortality. To survive this nightmarish fate and reclaim her own body, Elise must navigate a dangerous hidden world of arcane rituals, fanatic assassins, and secret societies. Get ready to be immersed in a thrilling historical adventure where death is just the doorway to another borrowed life.

One moment, Elise DeJong lives; the next, she’s trapped in another person's life, a stranger in a strange body. Pursued by a shadowy figure demanding answers she doesn't possess, Elise must unravel the mystery of her stolen existence before her borrowed lives run out. In this chilling first chapter, experience the terrifying awakenings that begin Elise's desperate fight for survival.

For other podcasts and production blogs, visit obscuradramatica.com.

CAST

ELISE...............................................................................................Lauren Rogers

SHEARS...........................................................................................Fawzy Simon

LIBERTY...........................................................................................Andi Bishop

ORDERLY/CLARENCE.....................................................................Dave Cavallaro

SARAH.............................................................................................Kristen Johnson

DAVIES.............................................................................................Stan Peal

MOTHER/FEMALE ACTOR..............................................................Keri Hendrix

CONDUCTOR/MALE ACTOR/FLYMAN/MISTER CAPLES.............Tom Kastle

CHANDLER/STAGE MANAGER.....................................................Jack Harvison

MAN ON STREET/WORKER/CALL BOY.........................................Peter Nye

THUG/DOCTOR..............................................................................Roger Bazinet

PRODUCTION CREW

Playwright......................................................................................David Bareford

Director..........................................................................................Brenda McGinnis

Producers.......................................................................................Roger Bazinet, Fawzy Simon

Recording Engineer........................................................................Roger Bazinet

Audio Engineer..............................................................................Fawzy Simon

Director of Marketing...................................................................Amanda Caraway

Some sound effects and music by Pixabay.com.

Once again cornered and hunted, Elise's desperate flight from the Shears abruptly ends, forcing another disorienting leap into a new borrowed life. A chilling unease settles with this unfamiliar identity, yet amidst the dread, a possible guardian emerges. As the relentless Shears draw nearer, Elise must navigate increasingly treacherous paths through a shadowy world, where survival hinges on fragile hope and the unsettling question: who, if anyone, can be trusted?

For other podcasts and production blogs, visit www.obscuradramatica.com

CAST 

ELISE................................................Lauren Rogers

KINGSTON.......................................Fawzy Simon

LIBERTY...........................................Andi Bishop

MARCUS..........................................Stan Peal

MRS. HAVEN....................................Brenda McGinnis

O'SHEA.............................................Riley Allen

JESSE...............................................Ryan Bond

COOK...............................................Lexy Dillon

PRODUCTION CREW
Playwright........................................David Bareford
Director............................................David Bareford

Producers........................................Roger Bazinet, Fawzy Simon

Recording Engineer.........................Roger Bazinet

Audio Engineer................................Fawzy Simon

Director of Marketing.....................Amanda Caraway

Some sound effects and music by Pixabay.com.

Elise lies trapped in a new body confined within the grim walls of Cook County Asylum. Doctors dismiss her desperate pleas, convinced her tales of stolen lives are mere ravings. But Elise knows the horrifying truth: she is being hunted. To break free and unravel the mystery of her fragmented existence, she must play their game, feigning madness to escape.

For other podcasts and production blogs, visit www.obscuradramatica.com

CAST
ELISE...............................................Lauren Rogers

KINGSTON......................................Fawzy Simon

LIBERTY..........................................Andi Bishop

DR. GRAVER....................................Brad Wadle

DR. DIXON.......................................Kellen Kirkham

ORDERLY.........................................Dave Cavallaro

CONDUCTOR..................................Ryan Bond

CEMETERY WORKER......................Roger Bazinet

HENRIK............................................David Bareford

MARCUS..........................................Stan Peal

MRS. HAVENS.................................Brenda McGinnis

O'SHEA/UNDERTAKER...................Riley Allen

PRODUCTION CREW
Playwright........................................David Bareford
Director............................................David Bareford

Producers........................................Roger Bazinet, Fawzy Simon

Recording Engineer.........................Roger Bazinet

Audio Engineer................................Fawzy Simon

Director of Marketing.....................Amanda Caraway

Some sound effects and music by Pixabay.com. 

Within the gilded walls of the Palmer House Hotel, a fragile respite offers temporary comfort. Under the watchful eye of her enigmatic protector, Elise finds a moment to breathe. But the air is thick with unspoken secrets as whispers of clandestine societies and manipulated lives begin to surface. The search for sanctuary leads her to a shadowy morgue, where a shocking discovery awaits that could shatter everything.

For other podcasts and production blogs, visit www.obscuradramatica.com

CAST 

ELISE................................................Lauren Rogers
JESSE...............................................Ryan Bond
MORDAUNT.....................................John Viniilass

CHARLES MICHAEL........................Amanda Caraway

WAITER............................................David Bareford
ALEXANDRA....................................Sarah Feely

PRODUCTION CREW
Playwright........................................David Bareford
Director............................................David Bareford

Producers........................................Roger Bazinet, Fawzy Simon

Recording Engineer.........................Roger Bazinet

Audio Engineer................................Fawzy Simon

Director of Marketing.....................Amanda Caraway

Some sound effects and music by Pixabay.com.

In the cold, dark morgue, Elise’s conscience drives her to help Alexandra escape certain death despite putting herself at risk. Meanwhile, Jesse reveals his shocking secret to Mordaunt before they discover Elise’s treachery. While fleeing for safety, Elise stumbles upon a grisly scene of absolute horror that reveals a ghastly power she never knew she possessed. Learning Alexandra’s true identity is nothing compared to the shock that awaits Elise in the cemetery.

CAST

ELISE……………………………………………..Lauren Rogers

JESSE……………………………………………..Ryan Bond

MORDAUNT…………………………………..John Viniilass

ALEXANDRA…………………………………..Sarah Feely

EDDIE…………………………………………….Peter Nye

CHARGE NURSE……………………………..Mary Anne Bowman

DOCTOR…………………………………………Michael Hagedorn

KINGSTON………………………………………Fawzy Simon

PRODIGAL……………………………………….Will Walker

THIRSTY PATIENT……………………………..David Bareford

PRODUCTION CREW

Playwright…………………………………….David Bareford

Director............................................David Bareford

Producers.........................................Roger Bazinet, Fawzy Simon

Recording Engineer..........................Roger Bazinet

Audio Engineer.................................Fawzy Simon

Director of Marketing......................Amanda Caraway

Some sound effects and music by Pixabay.com.

Elise and Alexandra confront Prodigal and Kingston, leading to revelations about Prodigal's true nature and a violent encounter. As Charles Michael prepares for a new borrowing ritual at the New Eden Hotel, Elise grapples with the ethical dilemmas of her unique abilities and the shocking discovery of the ritual's intended envelope.

Cast
Elise......................................................................Lauren Rogers
Alexandra.............................................................Sarah Feely
Kingston...............................................................Fawzy Simon
Liberty..................................................................Andy Bishop
Charles Michael..................................................Amanda Caraway
Amos...................................................................Roger Bazinet
John Prodigal......................................................Will Walker
Mortician.............................................................David Bareford

PRODUCTION
Playwright...........................................................David Bareford
Director...............................................................David Bareford
Producer.............................................................Roger Bazinet
Audio Engineer...................................................Fawzy Simon
Director of Marketing........................................Amanda Caraway

Some sound effects and music by Pixabay.com.

With her friend Liberty's life hanging in the balance, Elise must navigate the twisted allegiances of the Broken Hourglass Society, where every face hides a secret and trust is a dangerous commodity. As she prepares to participate in a terrifying ritual, Elise uncovers a web of intrigue that reaches into the heart of the society. The clock is ticking, and the question isn't just who will survive the night, but who can be trusted at all.

Cast
Elise......................................................................Lauren Rogers
Alexandra.............................................................Sarah Feely
Jesse....................................................................Ryan Bond
Liberty..................................................................Andy Bishop
Charles Michael..................................................Amanda Caraway
Amos....................................................................Roger Bazinet
John Prodigal......................................................Will Walker
Marcus.................................................................Stan Peal
Mrs. Havens.........................................................Brenda McGinnis
O'Shea..................................................................Riley Allen

PRODUCTION
Playwright...........................................................David Bareford
Director...............................................................David Bareford
Producer.............................................................Roger Bazinet
Audio Engineer...................................................Fawzy Simon
Director of Marketing........................................Amanda Caraway

Some sound effects and music by Pixabay.com.