"The Doctor Is In!"
TAMPA, Florida (Sept. 30, 2009) -- The College of The Arts will open its 2009-2010 theatre and dance season with TheatreUSF’s madcap production “The Doctor Is In!,” a modern-day adaptation based on Moliere’s play “The Doctor in Spite of Himself.” Click here to view a promo video by USF student and award-winning filmmaker Sarah Wilson.
From the beginning of his playwriting career, Moliere conducted a comedic crusade against the medical profession. In play after play, he skewered both the arrogant pomposity of doctors and the simple gullibility of the patients who believed their ludicrous pronouncements.
Moliere’s productions were infused with the exuberant physicality of Italian Commedia dell’arte, a style that he had learned in his early years on the stage. In a nod to this precedent, “The Doctor Is In!” utilizes standard comic types, which, although not directly related to commedia characters, are certainly drawn from the same well. According to the play's director C. David Frankel, the play is ‘‘a mash-up of ‘My Name Is Earl’ and ‘Scrubs’, built on a foundation of the Marx Brothers.’’
TheatreUSF professor David Williams is in charge of lighting for the production, and Theatre students Rachel Bulgrin and Kari Rohlwing are designing the set and costumes, respectively. In addition, Igor Santos, a recent graduate of USF’s School of Music, has composed an original score for the play.
Performances will run in Theatre II from Oct. 1-3 and 7-10 at 8 p.m., with 3 p.m. matinees on Oct. 4 and 11. Ticket prices are $8 advance and $10 day of show for students and seniors, while general audience admission is $12 in advance and $15 for day of show. For tickets and information, phone the College of The Arts box office at 813-974-2323 or visit the College of The Arts Web site.
