In
the late 1800s, Russia’s preeminent literary doctor, Anton
Chekhov, wrote humorous newspaper articles to pay for medical school. Neil
Simon, Broadway’s master
of comedy, elegantly weaves eight of Chekhov’s stories into
a laugh-out-loud vaudeville experience complete with tricky con artists,
ridiculous slapstick, heartwarming musical numbers and much, much
more!
Laughter is always the best medicine, 
so let The Good Doctor cure
what ails you!
The PRTC production featured a collection of Purple Rose favorite performers, including Sandra Birch, Ryan Carlson, Terry Heck, Tobin Hissong, Paul Hopper, and Tom Whalen, as well as the professional debut of Molly Thomas.
Critics' Quotes:
"In hands that are merely competent, The Good Doctor can come off as nice, amusing, or one of the other wimpy adjectives this reviewer has used to describe previous stagings. This production is vibrant and alive, exceedingly funny except when it breaks for the occasional moment of exquisite tenderness... (Paul) Hopper, (Sandra) Birch, Tom Whalen, Ryan Carlson, Terry Heck, Molly Thomas and Tobin Hissong constitute a stellar comic ensemble... Ultimately, The Good Doctor is a love letter to the theatre. Purple Rose is giving it a very special delivery." Martin F. Kohn The Good Doctor provides some
fast-acting comic medicine "...a wonderfully whimsical show, superbly vindicated in Purple Rose Theatre Company’s revival... the original production could have benefited from director Guy Sanville’s crack team of Purple Rose thespians..." Christopher Potter The Good Doctor Chekhov on Prozac Sonia Kovacs "The PRTC production of Simon’s pastiche is funny, fast-moving and nearly flawless... Each of the actors upholds their part of the bargain. The star of this production has to be Ryan Carlson, who creates a fistful of memorable characters, each one loonier than the last. His body control and ability to completely immerse himself in the character of the moment is masterful... Overall, The Good Doctor provides good fun, providing medicinal laughter sufficient to cure anything that ails you. I highly recommend this as a great production suitable for the whole family." Steve Daut |
Photos by Danna Segrest
Good Doctor saves the
day in Chelsea
"There may be some people around who wouldn’t
like The Good Doctor at the Purple Rose, but I don’t
know who they would be... however and whyever it came to
be written, it’s an enjoyable way to spend a few hours."