Playcrafters presents ‘Dr. Cook’s Garden’ through Sept. 1
What could go wrong in a small idyllic New England town with a reputation for being perfect in every way?
Next up for Playcrafters is a captivating escape into the edgy side of life in Ira Levin’s, Dr. Cook’s Garden. The two-hour stage play began on Broadway in 1967 with a cast including Burl Ives and later was made into a TV movie. Known for his mastery in thrilling audiences, Levin’s talents were showcased in the well-known classic book/ film, Rosemary’s Baby, as well as Stepford Wives. The thrills don’t stop there.
In the quaint Vermont village of Greenfield Center where everything is wholesomely Americana and reminiscent of a Normal Rockwell painting, the audience is introduced to the village doctor (played by Stephen Kuerschner). He’s a kindly old gentleman who would do anything for his patients. Making house calls at all hours of the day or night is not beyond the scope of his duties. His loyalty to them is paralleled by the same devotion his staff workers Bea Schmidt and Dora Ludlow (played by Wendy Mirto and Michele Loor Nicolay) display toward their elderly boss. Everyone loves and respects him, and he, too, loves the community. It’s a blessed reverie for all.
When Dr. Cook’s young protégé, Jim Tennyson (played by Ryan Henzes), comes back to town for a visit, he and the doc are pleasantly reunited. Then the young doctor begins to notice things, and what he finds is not quite kosher in his opinion. While his beloved mentor is older and perhaps more forgetful lately, things are different than before when he stumbles upon something distinctly troubling. Elias Hart, the town official and also the doctor’s gardener, is played by Rich Geller.
“There are plot twists you don’t expect,” said advisor Arnie Finkel. “One turn twists on itself… keeps going… and you don’t know until the very end.”
The question of medical procedures, choices and politics all collide in a disturbing caldron of good and evil in this timeless melodrama that speaks to the power of man’s attempts to keep the status quo.
“The play unfolds to find more and more unusual turns and twists,” Finkel added.
The climactic course leaves the audience guessing with questions such as, “Should he have…?”
“…theatrical excitement…moments of effective menace…” — NY Post.
“…aimed for suspense and goose pimples…” — NY Daily News.
Playcrafters presents “Dr. Cook’s Garden” at the Barn, 2011 Store Road at Skippack Pike, Skippack. Remaining shows are August 25, 30, 31, and Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. and August 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17. For tickets, www.playcrafters.org or 610584-4005.