Gail Thomas Spins a Masterful Journey of Psychedelics & Positivity in "Patient 13"
Wednesday, August 28, Los Angeles, Ca
written by Entertainment Editor, Dan Ruth
“I got rid of all the toxic people and there was no one left,” says Gail Thomas in her dark comic solo performance, Patient 13, playing through September 1st at Matrix Theatre on Melrose. Patient 13 centers on Thomas’ experiences as a “bike-loving, chronically-single dog lady,” living in New York City. Her story breaks out as she shares her battles with cancer, and her redemption and return to normalcy through a government-funded scientific study on the affects of Psilocybin, the psychedelic chemical found in mushrooms of the “magic” variety, and their surprisingly transformative properties when it comes to battling anxiety and depression. I can just hear certain pundits now, scoffing at said studies, wishing the results straight into the field, while spinning the dangers of Psilocybin, all psychedelics and proponents of the study. After seeing Patient 13, I am closer to believing in Psilocybin's positive affects and its potentially life-changing properties.
As the lights come up on a very comfy, upstairs theatre nook, we first meet Gail Thomas, draped in her best positive outlook, as she talks of her life in New York City, and her first meeting with “Wes” at a bar in Chelsea. Although not immediately taken by him, she files Wes under “Mr. Maybe,” but the tables quickly turn on the relationship when Wes shows his true colors as Thomas is diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer. Instead of crumbling however, Gail Thomas takes complete charge of her life and dives headfirst into the time-consuming world of medical research. Swimming through a litany of doctors, Thomas finally comes across “Dr. M.” and a study that just might help her. When they suggest that they don’t want to give Gail false hope, she exclaims, “I’ll take any hope I can get.” The “false hope” turns to joy and release as Gail Thomas locks us in for her personal psychedelic journey which ends in a climax of wonderment, joy and surprise. Watching Thomas and her heart-warming and often hilarious performance is the stuff of powerful storytelling. She takes us down the rabbit hole, as the entire upstairs nook surprisingly transforms into a wash of color and an audience of smiles, myself included. Patient 13 is a fascinating show, with a beautiful script, crafted by Thomas, who safeguards her audience on a trippy, whirlwind journey into self-respect, healing and trust. Gail Thomas stands strong, still draped in that same infectious positive outlook at show’s end, and she never wavers in between, not even for a moment. Patient 13 is beautifully directed by Dan Oliverio.
Patient 13 is a must for lovers of fine acting, well-told stories, New York City stories and/or stories about alternative therapies involving psychedelics. Matrix Theatre at Rogue Machine is located at 7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046. For tickets, please visit www.roguemachinetheatre.org. Rogue Machine Theatre 855-585-5185.
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