Review: AN UNHEALTHY MAN LECTURES YOU ON MEDICAL ISSUES Presented by Uncle Slappy Productions at Capital Fringe

Facing a medical crisis is never fun, particularly one that could potentially kill you. Veteran actor Vincent Clark (who might be best known for his work at Washington Stage Guild with over 30 productions so far) has taken his real life medical emergency horror story and turned it into an amusing and sometimes horrifying basically one man show, An Unhealthy Man Lectures You on Medical Issues.

Clark was in rehearsal for Washington Stage Guild's production of Widower's Houses at the time of his crisis. He came home from his day job early and said to his wife, "I need to get to the emergency room." Clark had a carotid artery clot that required immediate surgery. As if that wasn't bad enough, the meds they gave him post op had a list of side effects that were longer than the Dead Sea scrolls. It should be noted that Clark is also a diabetic and has only one working eye.

Clark's show also brings up the known fact that even if you have insurance, you most likely will be hit with a bill that will give you a heart attack. In other words, they want you back for more business.

Aside from Clark's always professional performance, I really enjoyed the fact that his show isn't a 'woe is me' type of story. Even though Clark was released too early from the hospital and was put on a drug he calls Tortureazone, he has an upbeat outlook on life. This is illustrated in his two song parodies: "Diabetes" to the tune of "Stormy Weather" and performed in a film sequence as a Las Vegas lounge singer, and a medical version of "High Hopes" complete with dance break. Clark's dance partner is a nurse played by Laura Barrier at my performance.

All in all, An Unhealthy Man Lectures You on Medical Issues as performed by Vincent Clark is one you should definitely catch at Capital Fringe this year. A veteran actor with an interesting story to tell make for a winning combination.

Running Time: 60 minutes with no intermission.

An Unhealthy Man Lectures You on Medical Issues runs through July 29, 2018 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church: Gold, which is located at 555 Water St SW, Washington, DC.

For tickets, click here. For all things Fringe, click here.

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