Dr. Biscotti and the Human Condition takes place in the office of a psychologist as he relives the story of a recent, tragic event. Throughout the play, we witness how choice and happenstance uniquely impact the course of his clients' lives.
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This is a full-length play with adult language,
requiring 3 males and two females.
3 m, 2 f
CHARACTERS:
DR. BISCOTTI: A psychologist, 45 to 55 years old.
ABBEY: A young woman in her 20s, withdrawn.
STEVE: A man in his late 20s with an undercurrent of anger.
SHERIE: A woman about to turn 40, beautiful.
GEORGE: A man of any age, possibly 30s, about to be married. Experiencing the happiest time of his life.
PLACE:
Dr. Biscotti's office.
TIME:
ACT ONE
Scene 1: One Thursday, 9 am to 1 pm.
Scene 2: One week later, 9 am to 12 pm.
ACT TWO
Scene 1: One week later, 9 am to 12 pm.
DR. BISCOTTI AND THE HUMAN CONDITION received its West Coast premiere at Theatre Encino in Los Angeles, California, on October 17, 2009. It was produced by Melanie Ewbank, directed by Lisa Soland, and the assistant director/stage manager was Vincent Archer. The set design was by Rustin Comer. The cast was as follows:
DR. BISCOTTI played by Todd Covert
ABBEY played by Theodora Greece
STEVE played by Paul Cuneo
SHERIE played by Michelle DeLynn
GEORGE played by Scott Ford
DR. BISCOTTI AND THE HUMAN CONDITION was subsequently produced by Theater23, with Tom Eubanks as Founding Artistic Director, and directed by Lisa Soland at the Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, opening September 20, 2024.
A staged reading of the play was presented at Pellissippi State College in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 6, 2009, directed by Charles R. Miller. Dr. Biscotti was played by Greg Congleton, Steve by James Francis, and Sherie by Susannah Devereux.
Industry Reviews
What they're saying about
DR. BISCOTTI & THE HUMAN CONDITION
"Lisa Soland's Dr. Biscotti and the Human Condition is a tour de force and a masterpiece. Its theme centers on nothing less than life's reasons and randomness. Characters represent the fourth dimension-time rather than space. By the end of the play, we learn how life can differ for an array of people, all linked by the interlocutor-their therapist, Dr. Biscotti. This play is original, entertaining, at times shocking, and brilliantly crafted. Dramatically, it has surprises and a wonderful build to a shocking conclusion. I could not get it, or the deep philosophical and sociological issues, out of my head for weeks after seeing it. I am a long-time fan of Ms. Soland, but this is perhaps her deepest play. I would love to see it get all the attention it deserves."
- Andrew Bonime, feature film producer, composer
"I greatly enjoyed and admired Dr. Biscotti and the Human Condition. Playwright Lisa Soland has such a great ability to make credible, rounded, and lovable characters. They are flawed as human beings, which means we can relate to them, but we also have quite complex feelings toward them. This gives a fantastic emotional texture to the piece
(and to all her writing)."
- Kieron Barry, reviewer for the Metro Pulse
"Absolutely riveting dialogue and characters. Dr. Biscotti is an excellent work. I was absolutely captured by the characters and their stories."
- Steven L. Sears, TV producer, writer
