The illustrious members of the Midtown Manhattan Entirely Factual Historical Research Society of Medicine come together in September 1898 to discuss the incident of a certain Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman who had an iron rod enter his face, come out at the top of his head, and lived to tell the tale. In order to “enlighten and entertain” Society members, Doctor Haugwitz (John Egan), Father Witherspoon (Jason Bohon) and Doctor Thomas (Greg Webster), put together a vaudeville-inspired show consisting of show-and-tell, musical interludes accompanied by one-man-band Professor Webb (Andrew Lynch who also composed the music) and promotional plugs for products of the era such as Edison’s direct current, which they advertise as the “American safe option”. But as we attend the tale of Gage, it becomes clear that Society members have conflicting interests, and are themselves doubtful of whether the story they’re telling has any validity.
Presented by Split Knuckle Theatre, The Curious Case of Phineas Gage, is a remarkably inventive show that touches on the eternal dilemma between science and the metaphysical, which asks what exactly makes up our identity, does it come with our corporeal vessel or is it something inexplicable, perhaps even spiritual? Part of the discussion is based on the fact that Phineas Gage seems to have become someone different after his accident, but it was impossible to understand who he was when he still looked like his old self.
As we see the charming charlatans of the Society speak of Phineas’ adventures with P.T. Barnum, creatures from the moon and secret masons, it becomes clear that the only thing they understand to be undeniable, is the power of good storytelling. Relying on very few props and elements which they repurpose as costumes, sets and altogether different characters, the four men put together a show that in the nineteenth century would’ve certainly blown minds away. That it happens to blow minds in the twenty first century as well is testament to the company’s artistry. The performances by scene-stealer Bohon, Webster and Egan are pitch perfect, and the songs by Lynch which contain lyrics like “interplanetary space dirigible” feel fresh in a strangely retro way.
Directed energetically by Vince Cardinal The Curious Case of Phineas Gage, is the kind of show that fills one with wide eyed, childlike wonder, without condescending to one’s adult intelligence. It’s a theatrical spectacle that seems so effortless only because each and every element has been tuned to perfection. “Enlighten and entertain” it does with enchanting aplomb and high spirits. One can only hope that the Midtown Manhattan Entirely Factual Historical Research Society of Medicine is convoked much more often and in many more stages.
