Fringe Review: Incurable

By Robert Goldberg - July 11, 2011


Photo Credit: Ryan Maxwell

In a world fueled by denial, prejudice and ostracism, victims of STDs face a very real inner and outer battle with acceptance and inclusion. Literary and theatrical circles that explore the STD milieu need to be applauded, and this praise certainly goes to producers Wayward Theater & Flying V, and playwright Seamus Sullivan. Incurable is an avant garde frolic into the world of STDs, dating, commitment phobia, and the search for identity.

Incurable, not an easy show to direct, is expertly conceptualized, subtextualized, and paced by director Michael Saltzman. The ensemble cast of Mia Branco, Genevieve James, Ben Kingsland, Aviva Pressman, and Seamus Sullivan is terrific. They work together beautifully in creating one coherent whole. The set design by Andrew Berry, simplistic in nature, but nevertheless innovative, allows for the show’s transitions to move flawlessly. The transitions are almost a play within a play. Additionally, costumes designed by Chelsea Kerl definitely enhance the production, as do Wade Tandy’s sound design, and the lighting design of Stephanie P. Freed.

Finally, I commend wordsmith Sullivan, once again. He is a writer full of wit and verve, and his script rocks with self-introspection and guilt. I am moved and haunted by the STD reality — “I’m scared I won’t have sex again… my penis is a death machine… it is playing chess with death.”

Running time: 75 minutes.

Incurable information and tickets.


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About Robert Goldberg

Robert Goldberg Robert Goldberg is an award-winning writer and stage director, a master acting teacher, and theater arts curriculum developer with years of experience on the East and West Coasts. Goldberg is the former Artistic Director of Integrated Creative Arts Network, Inc. in New York City, and MultiCultural Productions in Los Angeles. Produced plays include: Whispers Of An Asian Bride; Genesis: A Path Through Life; Just For Fun My Dears or Who Killed Bessie Miller?; Solemnia – A Quest For Peace; Prejudice Is The Way To Think If You’re Not Like Me You Really Stink!; Roughin’ It - The Musical; Yesterday’s Promises; and The 1940’s On Parade. Goldberg also co-wrote the film Four Day Shoot with former Los Angeles producer Larry Howard, and his screenplays – The Bugster and We May Be Young But We’re Not Dumb! were selected as entries at the Los Angeles Angel Citi Film Festival & Market. As an actor Goldberg is featured in the soon to be released short film Escaping Wonderland by director Matlock Bobechko, and he has been featured on TV on Rescue 911, and as a voice teacher/coach on That’s My Line.

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