I'm Revolting

      By Joseph Cervelli

If you are squeamish about medical issues, a bit of a hypochondriac or have an upcoming dermatologist appointment scheduled you might well consider venturing to the Atlantic Theater Company at the Linda Gross Theater to see Gracie Gardner's new play "I'm Revolting." According to this play, it seems that if you have some serious decisions to make about your health (in this case skin cancer) you are basically on your own. Trust the doctors? Not so sure about that as presented here nor should you expect much compassion from your friends or relatives. You better look to yourself. They are more concerned with their jobs or own self preservation. 

The play directed by Knud Adams has a kind of surrealistic feel in a kind of "Twilight Zone" sort of way. The action takes place in a sleek (sets by Marsha Ginsberg) waiting room for those coming mostly for serious dermatological issues. 

There is one doctor Denise (Patrice Johnson Chevannes) who seems to be caring though as the play proceeds you are not so sure about her sincerity. And there is also the milquetoast resident Jonathan (Bartley Booz.) 

Then the patients filter in. Reggie (Alicia Pilgrim) needs to have something removed from her nose and though things look good after the surgery, she may need more which is described in detail (again squeamish beware). Her stylishly dressed sister Anna (Gabby Beans who was outstanding in the dreadful revival of "The Skin of Our Teeth") is more concerned with getting back to work. Even when things get to be more serious for Reggie, Anna is no where to be found. 

A married couple who seem very unhappy, Jordan (Glenn Fitzgerald) who ends up being truly a horrible person and his emotionally fragile wife Liane (Emily Cass McDonnell) who needs more than just additional dermatological surgery. The jovial Clyde (Peter Gerety) who is accustomed to having several surgical procedures. Toby (Patrick Vaill who was terrific as Jud in the recent revival of "Oklahoma") seems bored with being there and it does not help as he waits for his ditzy mother Paula (Laura Esterman) who is into holistic medicine playing her "crystal singing bowls" which seems to have cured her son. Or, have they?

There really is not much to the play other than the fact as mentioned that medical people are more concerned with rushing to get things done and give you no time to think things through. And since most people need a support team when given a serious diagnosis your immediate loved ones are not those you can depend on. 

I have never seen physicians discuss a patient's medical condition in the waiting room. Guess HIPAA laws don't apply here. But then again the play appears to be taken as a satire. I found nothing amusing about it although the audience did find parts uproariously funny. The situations described within the play are too serious to be taken in such an amusing manner. 

PHOTOS: Ahron R. Foster

Tickets are available at the Linda Gross Theater 336 West 20th Street