Shaw in the Nick of Time
ShawChicago, in association with the Chicago DCA Studio Theater, presents a concert reading of George Bernard Shaw's The Doctor's Dilemma. The production runs now through May 10th at the Chicago Cultural Center. Shaw's The Doctor's Dilemma opens on the office of newly knighted doctor, Colenso Ridgeon. The country is abuzz with the news that Ridgeon may have found a cure for tuberculosis. As people flock to his consult, he is quickly faced with an issue. He has only one slot left for the clinical trial. Should it go to a fellow doctor who works with the poor or to a callous but promising artist?
Although The Doctor's Dilemma was originally staged in 1906, the play could not be more current. At the turn of the twentieth century, Shaw was commenting on whether profits influenced medical decisions and the need for a national health service in Britain. Ironically, when ShawChicago first hit the boards in 1994, they performed this play as the American healthcare system was being challenged for the first time since the 1960s. Of course, it was only befitting to revive the production as the American healthcare system is challenged again.
The ShawChicago Theatre Company has presented the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries to our city for the past sixteen years. Recognition should first be given for bringing this cultural outreach to Chicagoans of all ages for the past two decades. Secondly, ShawChicago deserves note for illustrating the obvious importance and relevance of Shaw today.
Beyond their superior choice in season, ShawChicago puts on a thoroughly entertaining reading with The Doctor's Dilemma. The cast found a pace to the language in which they were able to nail every joke and find the subtleties of Shaw's humor without getting campy. I also never once looked at my watch, which is a fete within itself, being that when Shaw is done incorrectly, it can be unbearably long.
For more information about ShawChicago's The Doctor's Dilemma and Chicago DCA Theater, visit www.dcatheater.org.
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