Review: Great Barrington Public Theater, "The Best Medicine"

Great Barrington Public Theater, Great Barrington, MA

www.GreatBarringtonPublicTheater.org

through August 17, 2025

by Suzanne Wells

The Great Barrington Public Theater closes its summer season with the world premiere of “The Best Medicine,” a thought-provoking one-woman play exploring the emotional labyrinth of caregiving amid a loved one’s terminal diagnosis. Written by Robin Gerber and directed by Matthew Penn, the 80-minute production ambitiously navigates themes of denial, acceptance, self-doubt, frustration, self-care, love, and joy.

Caroline Aaron

Caroline Aaron, best known for her role in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” plays Rachel, an independent woman thrust into the role of caretaker. In an effort to process her overwhelming circumstances, Rachel enrolls in a stand-up comedy class. While the concept is full of potential, Aaron’s performance was uneven and, at times, difficult to engage with. Her slow shuffle across the stage may have been intended to reflect Rachel’s age, but it often disrupted the tempo. A wardrobe issue—a distracting gap between shirt buttons—further pulled attention from the dialogue. Moments intended to land with humor were occasionally buried or underplayed. Emotionally, the portrayal leaned toward flat, which made the more dramatic peaks feel abrupt and disconnected.  That said, Aaron conveyed Rachel’s personal flaws and inner conflicts with striking honesty.

Deeply dependent upon Monk Schane-Lydon’s soundscape and the audience’s imagination,  Juliana von Haubrich’s minimalist set design, a handful of props—a few chairs, two suitcases, a microphone, and a rolling whiteboard, effectively transformed the stage into a doctor’s office, an airplane, a classroom, a living room, a taxi, and even a circus.

“The Best Medicine” offers a raw, sincere look at the realities of caregiving resonating with those who have lived that experience, as well as those anticipating their futures. Still, this production demands a high level of imaginative engagement from the audience and lacks emotional depth.  It raises the question: is the theater the ideal medium for this story’s full impact?