BWW Reviews: Audiences Get Drugged on Love at Boulevard's Midwest Premiere RX

Tucked on the lower level in the reception room at Plymouth Church (2717 East Hampshire), Mark Bucher's Boulevard Theater presents the Midwest Premiere of RX. The classic arches and pillars adorn the church's intimate space and provide a satisfying back drop to Kate Fodor's 2012 play about drugs, death, determination and an American culture fascinated by finding relief from unhappiness by popping any colored pill form possible. When an experimental drug being developed by Schmidt Pharma, SP925--named Thriveon--promises to relieve workplace anxiety for employees who hate their jobs, confusion for Meena and Phil future ensues..

In Fodor's world, this happens first to Meena, an editor at American Cattle and Swine Magazine, a woman graduate from a Masters of Fine Arts program who writes prose poetry yet edits the intricacies of pig farming to pay her bills. She meets the physician overseeing the Thriveon drug study at Schmidt Pharma, Dr. Phil Gray. A formerly disgruntled Emergency Room physician, Gray changed meidcal practices and now works to bring in the "big bucks" at the drug company. Although Meena awakens "the 7th wonder of the world in his heart" when Phil reads her poetry. The place where romance begins and research protocol falls into the depths of despair.

While laughs abound in the play, Fodor plums the dogmas and dilemmas inherent in medical research, sample test studies, the placebo effect, marketing drugs to a receptive and paying public, and how cash flow affects career choices with scintillating humor. Ericka Wade's effervescent Meena contrasts Jason Will's dry Doctor Gray with uncanny, unexpected charm, Meena's poetry convincing Phil to become enlightened to the arts out of his love for Meena.

While Meena and Phil uncover their "other" selves, the over-the-top pharmaceutical marketing executive played with fierce emotion by Marilyn White complements Meena's boss, nicely underplayed by actor Tom Dillion, to hamper Meena's and Phil's relationship. Joan End adds another dimension to Meena's life when her poignant widow Frances reawakens and begins to bud, she buys fresh, flowered underwear for her new life ahead. Over the evening's 100 minutes, no intermission performance,, everyone becomes undone and human hearts break, careers topple and all become candidates for drug SP214. This medication devised to cure crumbling, hurting hearts., named in homage to Valentine's Day. Who, if anyone, eventually thrives amid all these various prescriptions for how to live life?

Which is exactly what Fodor and Bucher's production asks of the audience. Comic and witty moments slide over the truisms underscoring the dialogue and story, subtly directed by Director Bucher....Why would so many Americans need to be relieved from their drudgery of "nine to five" if they truly worked at what they loved? And if they loved with their inner heart would some medications be necessary at all? (Yes, depression is very real, and yes, some medication is often necessary). Although the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs to cure humanity's emotional ills might be unprecedented. And where does the ability to generate a profit on medicine and market to the public coincide with actual sincere service to their needs through scientific research? Yes, this all happens, and yet, Fodor's statements ring true.

Sublime cutural subtleties addressed in Fodor's quirky romantic comedy give this Boulevard production a seductive edge designed with only a one desk, a few chairs and a arck of granny''s white underwear. Audeinces can once again applaude the company on stage in an inviting venue where Wade and Will combine for a winning combination in this lighthearted yet still probing production..Prescribe yourself a night at the theater, to revive. Head underground to see the Boulevard's Rx. When considering all the pills and potions available in the modern world to heal body and soul, Fodor examines being drugged on self-actualizing true love for another human being may be the most healthful treatment known to humankind.

Boulevard Theatre presents the Midwest Premiere of Rx at the Plymouth Church, 2717 East Hampshire, east of Downer Avenue near the Downer Theatre through May 3. Howie Goldstein performs in place of Tom Dillion for the two May performances. With the Boulevard's limited production run, for further information and tickets, please visit www.boulevardtheatre.com.

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