"Average Hospital" - by Mary Darling - Museful Intent (Sturbridge, MA.)
(Cover Photo: The CAST of Mary Darling's "AVERAGE HOSPITAL" presented by Museful Intent in Southbridge, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit Mikey Maestaz)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"Oh, you never told him about your best friend Laura’s great aunt Brenda's long-lost sister’s boyfriend’s third cousin who looks like Sonny from General Hospital and who also happens to be your ex husband and MY former lover? ”
- ("Scarlett") / Mary Darling
Museful Intent
Presents Mary Darlings'
"AVERAGE HOSPITAL"
Written & Directed by Mary Darling
Choreographer Justine Pennucci
Cast Includes: Marta Rigano as "Harper," Jordan Miller as "Chase," Vivian Nichols as "Scarlett," Patrick Bracken as "Tomas," William Bolster as "Cyrus," Angela Fleming as "Doctor M" & Others, Brian Zakrajsek as "Doctor Cats,"
Jim Douglas as "The Voice of the Show"
Additional Creative Team:
Stage Management - Kyle Hargrove and Cassie Tortorici; Director of Photography - Mikey Maestaz; Abi Simpson- Wig Handler/ Run Crew
Performances:
June 7, 2024 through June 16, 2023
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
The Co-Op at Fortunato Court, Ground Level, Rear, 21 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA. 01566
TICKETS:
For more information, contact marydarling6@gmail.com
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
Now playing in Sturbridge, Museful Intent presents Mary Darlings' "AVERAGE HOSPITAL," a made for stage soap opera parody.
As the script reveals, in Darlings' "AVERAGE HOSPITAL," this is an absurdist comedy about an "over-the-top" soap opera set in the 1980s (or is it?).
The characters in the comedy find themselves in a highly redundant cycle of betrayal, infidelity, and even... (gasp) multiple comas!
(Photo: A scene from Mary Darling's "AVERAGE HOSPITAL" presented by Museful Intent in Southbridge, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit Mikey Maestaz)
Is it real life?
Is it just fantasy?
Will they ever wake up and find it was all just a dream?
As "AVERAGE HOSPITAL" unfolds, the "Voiceover" (Jim Douglas) is our audible guide throughout the show.
First the Voiceover gives us a recap of the previous episode:
"Previously on "AVERAGE HOSPITAL" - things took a turn for the worst for Harper and Tomas, but they're in the hands of a very capable, ridiculously attractive doctor. Cyrus continued to visit the hospital while navigating wedding social norms and graces. A secret from Chase's past has resurfaced, but will he do the right thing to save his marriage?"
The above leads us into "Episode One Hundred of Season 90" of the worlds longest running soap opera: "AVERAGE HOSPITAL" as we begin to meet some of its most eccentric characters.
As the script by Mary Darling reveals:
Harper (Marta Rigano) is a woman who has been living in a coma for the past four years
Vivian Nichols plays "Scarlett," Harper's fraternal twin sister...and so much more.
Chase (Jordan Miller) is Harper's not-so-devoted husband.
Patrick Bracken plays "Tomas" (pronounced like "Toe-Maus"), a man with a complicated past who has found himself...in a coma.
Cyrus (William Bolster) is Tomas' partner who might have sinister intentions.
Angela Fleming plays multiple roles as the "Pastor," "Doctor M" and "Marlena."
Doctor M is a couples therapist...or is she?
Marlena is Scarlett & Harper's mother.
The Pastor is Marlena in disguise because...why not?
Brian Zakrajsek plays "Doctor Cats" and "Baxter" - in both cases, an attractive, mysterious, and devious middle aged man who also happens to be...many people's lover. He sometimes has an eye patch as part of his disguise because...why not?
(Photo: The CAST of Mary Darling's "AVERAGE HOSPITAL" presented by Museful Intent in Southbridge, MA. through June 16, 2024. Photo Credit Mikey Maestaz)
Museful Intent's "AVERAGE HOSPITAL" continues in Sturbridge until June 16th and this patient check-in is worth checking out.
For tickets and more information, contact marydarling6@gmail.com
BUY TICKETS
Approximately one hour with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Museful Intent & The Co-Op at Fortunato Court are proud to present the world premiere of Mary Darling's newest play “AVERAGE HOSPITAL.”
In this 1980s’ soap opera comedy, several people find themselves in a highly redundant cycle of betrayal, infidelity, and life-threatening medical circumstances.
Dust off your ‘80s clothes and hairstyles and wear them because this show takes place in the late 80s.
After the show, there will be a “low-key cocktail social hour!”
Parking is available onsite & the show entrance is in the parking lot.
Approximately 60 minutes without an intermission.
Note: Includes strong language and ridiculously suggestive sexual overtones, therefore it is not suitable for children.
Note: Venue is not 100% ADA-compliant at this time..
ABOUT MUSEFUL INTENT AND MARY DARLING
MUSEFUL INTENT is a new performance troupe courtesy of Mary Darling, a New England based playwright & director. Mary Darling has written multiple short plays in various festivals and was part of Too Much Damn Theater’s 2023 annual pass-along play competition in which her team’s play "You, Me and My Multiple Consciousnesses" won seven awards, including “Best Play." Mary's work has been produced in Fitchburg, Lowell, Worcester, Cape May, Southbridge and in the virtual space. MUSEFUL INTENT strives to create relatable, accessible, inclusive work that sparks community conversation.
