Next up in our “Homecoming” series is Richard Grunn with his original play Good Medicine, about the proliferation of the “Medicine Show” in its various permutations from the 19th century through today. Why do we look for the fast fix? The miracle cure? What is the lure of these products and (in many cases) the men who sell them — products or pathways — promising the keys to a better life?
The play follows three characters: Reverend Beauford T. Jones, Dr. Chester C. Braman, and Kurt Candleman, Spiritual Advisor and Master Guru. Each exists in and is representative of a different period in history from which they attempt to sell us their philosophy and associated products for health. The satire exposes the similarities between the characters, showing how today we fall for the same snake-oil salesmen as our ancestors, with their charm and allure, pitching absurd balms and practices which claim to heal and cure.
Good Medicine is written and performed by Richard Grunn. It is directed by Leslie Kincaid Burby, with music by Joe Burby and Henry Burby.
Richard Grunn is no stranger to Sullivan County (in fact, he gave its name to one of his sons). As an artist and father he lived and worked for many years in Damascus, PA and ran the beloved Braman Arts Center on Main Street in Callicoon. Two of his children, Corinna and Sheridan, were among the cast of The Weather Project at NACL.
Currently based in The Bronx, Richard continues to work as an actor, artist, and puppeteer, creating and touring his original works. Touring credits in the US, UK, and Ireland include: West Cork Literary Festival, Schull Arts Festival, Arundel Festival, and Edinburgh Fringe. His theatrical works include Urbano’s Circus (performed at NACL with son Sheridan), Father Joiner’s Purgative Poetry Project, and Good Medicine, recently performed at the United Solo Theatre Festival in NYC.
Richard is also a teaching artist with Sundog Theatre where he designed a drama-based literacy program, 3-D Literacy, which serves elementary and middle school students in NYC. He has taught radio theater to visually impaired students at the Lighthouse Guild, and since 2015 has worked with seniors through LMCC SU-CASA, a community arts engagement program that places artists at senior centers across NYC for the creation and delivery of arts programming for older adults.
He received a 2015 BRIO award for experimental film from the Bronx Council on the Arts, and is a recipient of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship in Theatre.
Good Medicine is made possible in part by funds from Creative Engagement supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by LMCC.