Set in small-town Georgia during the 1918 global influenza pandemic, this original work pits a crusading doctor against an entourage of snake oil salesmen. Public health seems at odds with the town’s economic interests as civic leaders debate shutting down all public gatherings—including the popular and lucrative local medicine show. Interwoven with the realistic play (inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s classic “Enemy of the People”) are scenes from a period medicine show, complete with tap dance, old time melodrama, country music, and vaudevillian comedy.

The Medicine Showdown was named one of the best local productions of 2009, and included in the 50 best productions of the decade by Atlanta’s Creative Loafing.

Vitals

Written by Topher Payne and Adam Koplan

Director: Adam Koplan

Scenic Design: James H. Aitken

Costume Design: Erin Murphy

Lighting Design: James H. Aitken

Graphic Design: Topher Payne

Music Director: John Wright

Dramaturgy: Victor Holtcamp

Stage Manager: Jennifer Brown

Choreography: Khalid Hill

Original Cast

Dr. Claudia Hill: Jo Howarth

Dr. Arthur Eggerton: Jay Allan

Ben Colquitt, Tiny Two-Bits: John Wright

Roy Horster, Legs Benedict: Khalid Hill

Mayor Peter Stockman, Chief Tuk Tuk: John Stephens

The Medicine Showdown Chronology

2009  The Fourteenth Street Playhouse, Atlanta, GA

2009 XFest, Southern llinois University at Edwardsville