Bill W. and Dr. Bob by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey
"The miraculous story, beautifully told, of the men who named the disease and created the cure." — Martin Sheen
The Internationally Acclaimed Show by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey Now Playing at The Soho Playhouse.
Celebrate
Celebrate the story of the founding AA and in the power of recovery in the lives of millions, in AA and other 12 step groups, including Al Anon Family Groups.
Educate
Help support our mission, through this play, to pass on the message of the program, alcoholism and challenge the myths and stigma about the disease.
Outreach
Join us in Outreach in service to all who still suffer—especially young people—and their families, friends and communities.
REVIEWS FOR THE OFF-BROADWAY SOHO PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION
The New York Times
"Sharp performances and a purpose-driven script (that captures the humor of the human experience) make this a satisfying revival."
The Huffington Post
"What's so moving about the production, pierced with dark humor and terrible suffering, is the understanding that individuals can alter their destiny. That makes Bill W. and Dr. Bob both inspiring and remarkable. The performances are raw and all too real, a gripping human story, aided by excellent actors—Lois Wilson and Anne Smith are shown as instrumental in founding Al-Anon. Playwrights Sam Shem and Janet Surrey reveal all the ugly realities of alcoholism and it devastation on families, but the play's thrust is to spread a message of hope, in a strong theatrical vehicle—a reminder that there is power in community."
"Two hours of affecting theatre. This new production, directed with theatrical acuity and cinematic fluidity by Seth Gordon, has been lovingly mounted and is exceptionally well cast…Vividly credible portraits of the two men, and affecting portraits of their wives Lois and Anne, and a variety of other folks. Other dramas have depicted the consequences of addiction in more harrowing terms, from The Lost Weekend to Long Day's Journey Into Night and Come Back Little Sheba. But Bill W. and Dr. Bob succeeds in dramatizing the disease in very human terms. Furthermore, in showing us the friendship between these two unusual men and their mutual obsession to help themselves by listening to and helping others, it celebrates humanity's better impulses, perhaps its best impulse."
Theatermania"Bill W. and Dr. Bob is a truly fascinating American story that should be seen by a wide audience. Shem and Surrey have developed a startlingly emotional and dramatic script."
Read the full review >
News
Exploring the boundaries: modern theater and adult platforms in contemporary culture
Like the theater, these platforms can provide a space for performance, expression, and exploration of identity and desire. However, they differ significantly in their format, interactivity, and the transient nature of their content.
In the world of adult entertainment, webcam platforms are one of the most famous trends. While both adult theater productions and adult webcam platforms engage with mature content, the contexts and modes of delivery are markedly different. The former is often rooted in narrative and character development, while the latter is interactive and immediate, emphasizing visual and communicative performance.
Adult platforms allow emerging artists to reach a wider audience and experiment with provocative content. The theatre business has become more open to different voices and points of view thanks to this exposure, which challenges the idea of what theatre should be typically.
