'The Good Doctor' makes house call at Yuma Theatre

"The Good Doctor" is a play that combines short stories by Anton Chekhov, a 19th century writer. Neil Simon, world renowned playwright who was born in the Bronx in 1927, combined the different Russian-based stories into a play, introduced on stage by the "writer" who interacts with the audience to help with his case of writer's block.

The Yuma Community Theater's production of the play will be presented at the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St., today through Saturday. Curtain time is 7 p.m. each performance.

Ralph Gray, president of YCT, said, "We're making the presentation in conjunction with the Yuma Art Center to present the show for the five evenings in a row. This is the first time for the agreement. And, tickets are $5, sold only at the door."

Chris Jongeward is director for the play. "I've been musical director for plays, but this is the first as director of a comedy play. There are 10 members in the cast, some with more than one role.

"The play begins when a working class man sneezes on the back of his boss's head at an opera and can't stop apologizing about it. Another is the tale of an inexperienced dental assistant with his first patient.

"Still more scenes are of an elderly man and woman trying to show it is never too late for happiness," the director said.

"Everyone in life faces a seducer and in another instance a woman with a nervous disorder upbraids a bank manager, and another farce is about a man who wants to drown himself for three rubles," Jongeward said. "The farces are hilarious, drama scenes profound and thought provoking; and it's entertaining."

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THE CAST

The following are the players, their parts and their past roles.

Cathy Abarno; Madame Brassilhov, an old woman and a crazy woman; was in "The Sound of Music," "Nunsense," Oklahoma" and some Arizona Western College productions.

Linda Goertz; the Mistress; was Sister Hubert in "Nunsense."

Ralph Gray; Old Man, the drowned man, Kistunov; was in "Pirates of Penzance," "Paint Your Wagon," "Hello Dolly," "Sound of Music," and "Oklahoma."

Robert Milligan; Cherdyokov, Kuryatin, Pochatkin, Antosha; was Rolfe in "The Sound of Music."

Jennifer Milligan; Cherdyokov's wife (and Robert's wife in real life); was a choreographer for "The Sound of Music," was in "Let's Murder Marsha."

Sonja Wiederstein; Julia, Irena; was Gertie in "Oklahoma!"

Fred Brown; General Brassilhov, the Policeman); on the board of directors, long-time YCT member and has produced and performed in most of the musicals.

Michael Finch; The Sexton, Nikolaich); has been a farmer, a priest and a clueless husband in past plays.

Raquel Garcia; Nina, the Hooker; an awkward role by a student, worker and relaxed person.

Emilio Sanchez; the Writer; has performed at the AWC Theater and learned many stage techniques.

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Pam M. Smith can be reached at psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.