A Question of Mercy

ABOUT

Text David Rabe
Direction Douglas Hughes
Based upon the essay by Richard Selzer

1996/97 Season

February 7, 1997—March 9, 1997

Read Synopsis

Based on the essay by Richard Selzer, the play examines a doctor’s struggle to decide if he should facilitate the death of a terminally ill patient.  By focusing on the dilemma of the doctor rather than the patient the play offers a point of departure from which to address larger ethical questions.  When is a person allowed to die and who is allowed to help?  Is the dying person’s word to be taken at face value or must it be analyzed by “objective” intervening agents?  And who is in control?  The play asks the audience to rethink traditional notions of the relative power of doctor and patient and to entertain the idea that quite possible the patient could be the manipulator and the doctor a mere instrument subject to another’s will.

Set Design Neil Patel
Costume Design Jess Goldstein
Lighting Design Michael Chybowski
Music & Sound Design David Van Tieghem
Stage Manager Charles Means
Casting Bernard Telsey Casting

with Christopher Burns, Veanne Cox, Doc Dogherty, Zach Grenier Juan Carlos Hernandez, Michael Kell, Stephen Spinella

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