THE PSYCHIATRIST IS OUT opened last night at the American Theater of Actors on 54th and 9th Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan, New York. Very cute, very "posh", and quite theatrical.
Two patients are left to fend for themselves when they discover that their psychiatrist died while in session. David (played by Danny Hilt) apparently, was having a "couch session" in which he lay with his back to the doctor, apparently, "talking on", soon discovering, that the therapist has died. He walks in frantically into the waiting room, where Danielle (played by Amy Dellagiarino) is waiting for her session. Upon her discovery of the deceased doctor, she goes into a series of panic attacks, and anxious tyrades of emotional disbelief. As both patients try to make sense of the matter, simultaneously they "work out" their particular neurosis and reach a resolution to their particular problems. The police woman (played by Leah Reddy) also added to the farce, making the play more comedic in its delivery.
The actors' energy on stage was exhuberant, sweetly bouyant, and quite candid. Actor Amy Dellagiarino was an absolute pleasure to see, as well as actor Danny Hilt. For a solid sixty minutes, the director (Linda Wielkotz) has accomplished what few directors can pull off for a one act production! The set and lighting design simulated an actual psychiatrist office one would expect form a posh Mid-Manhattan Office (maybe in Chelsea or Columbus?). The wardrobe or costume designs also helped create a certain "ambiance" of a particular sect of seciety whose norm would be to seek the "talking cure" among more "well-to-do" Americans.
What appealed to me the most is the play's honesty. The playwright, Dahvi Waller, has "reedemed" the human condition by implicating that we have the "answers" to our most deepest problems-however complex they may "seem" on the surface. Humanity and empathy are cornerstones which our society holds true and dear. And that's very refreshing to see and well executed onstage.
Outof five stars, I give this cute production a FIVE! Well done!
Two patients are left to fend for themselves when they discover that their psychiatrist died while in session. David (played by Danny Hilt) apparently, was having a "couch session" in which he lay with his back to the doctor, apparently, "talking on", soon discovering, that the therapist has died. He walks in frantically into the waiting room, where Danielle (played by Amy Dellagiarino) is waiting for her session. Upon her discovery of the deceased doctor, she goes into a series of panic attacks, and anxious tyrades of emotional disbelief. As both patients try to make sense of the matter, simultaneously they "work out" their particular neurosis and reach a resolution to their particular problems. The police woman (played by Leah Reddy) also added to the farce, making the play more comedic in its delivery.
The actors' energy on stage was exhuberant, sweetly bouyant, and quite candid. Actor Amy Dellagiarino was an absolute pleasure to see, as well as actor Danny Hilt. For a solid sixty minutes, the director (Linda Wielkotz) has accomplished what few directors can pull off for a one act production! The set and lighting design simulated an actual psychiatrist office one would expect form a posh Mid-Manhattan Office (maybe in Chelsea or Columbus?). The wardrobe or costume designs also helped create a certain "ambiance" of a particular sect of seciety whose norm would be to seek the "talking cure" among more "well-to-do" Americans.
What appealed to me the most is the play's honesty. The playwright, Dahvi Waller, has "reedemed" the human condition by implicating that we have the "answers" to our most deepest problems-however complex they may "seem" on the surface. Humanity and empathy are cornerstones which our society holds true and dear. And that's very refreshing to see and well executed onstage.
Outof five stars, I give this cute production a FIVE! Well done!
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