Side Effects May Include

See it if you would like to support the cause of finding a cure for Parkinson’s.

Don't see it if you are expecting a play that engages the experience of living with a person who is experiencing the progress of Parkinson’s disease.

Also Someone dear to me has lived with Parkinson’s. So I’d like to report that “SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE” successfully finds the humor in being the spouse of someone who gets a Parkinson’s diagnosis & experiences the condition progress for a few years. That’s the basic situation that this solo play engages. But I found the piece only intermittently funny, & exasperatingly short on details about or insight into the experience of Parkinson’s. Nick Koesters, the play’s solo performer, plays it like stand-up, & that’s not necessarily bad. But while his impersonation of a Rabbi friend feels accurate & deeply human (in addition to being funny), his impersonations of his wife & daughter never feel deeper than caricature. And for much of the playing time, the sex jokes (many pretty limp!) swamp all the other material. For these & other reasons, the provisionally hopeful ending does not feel like it’s been earned.... Read more Read less

See it if You like one man shows that try to be funny about diseases (Parkinson’s).

Don't see it if you have a problem with one man shows or laughing at diseases coming from a manic actor .

See it if you appreciate an appealing performer's effort and a one person show about dealing with a loved one's terminal illness.

Don't see it if you expect a comedian to be funny rather than delve into the sad situation about the effects of a wife's illness on a husband and daughter.

See it if You like 1 man solos in an intimate setting.

Don't see it if You want a deep thoughtful exploration of the complexities of dealing with serious disease and it’s ramifications on the family it’snot here

See it if you want to see an actor portraying a comedian whose wife has Parkinson's Disease.

Don't see it if you expect to see a funny comedian telling you about his problems.

Also Nick Koesters tries very hard and gives the play his all. I enjoyed Nick portraying his daughter and showing her disdain for his attempts to connect with her.... Read more Read less

See it if you have interest in the marital problems of the narrator

Don't see it if you prefer to have more than one self-centered character at a time occupy the stage

See it if you like to hear stuff against big pharma

Don't see it if you wanted good writing, good acting or a good story line generally, was just not funny at all!

See it if YOu enjoy humor that really touches real life situations. The writer really reveals so much of himself

Don't see it if YOu can't hear stories of disease and its effects on life

See it if You have strong feelings about Parkinson's disease. Too much talk of sex and not enough talk of his dying wife, I thought.

Don't see it if You don't like one man shows.

See it if you want to see a very personal story about a couple dealing with Parkinson’s disease.

Don't see it if you don’t enjoy hearing about someone else’s sex life.

See it if Enjoy one-man shows, like a funny and touching story.

Don't see it if Want to see a big set (flashy show), expecting side-splitting laughs, and aren’t as comfortable with an intimate show experience.

See it if It exposes in a humorous way the impact didease and drugs have on a couple’s life with all their side effects tangible and intangible.

Don't see it if If you want something clever and edgy that is very funny and informative.