One-man show takes comedic look at Parkinson’s disease

Submitted by Fox Valley Repertory

Fox Valley Repertory will present a daringly funny and provocative one-man show about early onset Parkinson’s disease called “Side Effects May Include …”

Written by former “Seinfeld” writer Marc Jaffe and Broadway playwright Eric Coble, the show will be performed by Andrew J. Pond at 8 p.m. Friday, May 24, at on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Based on a funny, touching, true story, Jaffe shares his own experiences as a husband who finds out that his wife has been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease. In this charming show, you’ll meet “Phil” (played by Andrew J. Pond), a stand-up comedian who is living a reasonably happily married life. His only complaint? Wife Maggie’s waning sex drive.

It provides for ample fodder until she is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and their life takes an unexpected turn — some of it for the better.

Join him on a hysterical roller coaster ride through an escalating mountain of pills, secrets, questions of manhood and womanhood, age, desire, more pills, stage fright, love and more pills as he finds out that sometimes it’s not the disease that changes us, but the side effects.

“Side Effects May Include …” performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24. Tickets are $32. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit “Shaking with Laughter,” in support of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The show is rated R for adult subject matter and language.

Ample free parking and valet services are available at Pheasant Run Resort. The resort and theater is wheelchair accessible and hearing amplification systems are available. Ask the box office about dinner and overnight packages.

Group rates are available by calling (630) 770-7699. Pheasant Run Resort is at 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. For tickets, call the box office at (630) 584-6342 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information can be obtained at www.foxvalleyrep.org.