Smile Medicine by Dakota Parobek

After the sudden loss of their best friend, Good-dog, Sad-bird must adjust to their new life in a world of Angels, Anarchists, Aliens, and the ghost of a disgraced Russian scientist. As Sad-bird searches for their place on earth, Good-dog searches for his place among the stars. Smile Medicine is an exploration of mental illness and grief through humor, lamentation, and music.
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Smile Medicine

Recommended by

  • Rob Silverman Ascher:
    24 Oct. 2022
    “ This play is gorgeous!! Heartfelt, silly, brutally real. Dakota's plays have a real knack for portraying what emotional stakes feel like rather than what they sound like. There's beautiful music, leftist infighting, and a beautiful love story at its core. This play's heart is huge. ”

Ideally, the Aliens, Angels, and Anarchists would be played by the same actors.
Gender in casting is arbitrary sans:
Girl (woman-identified)
Boy (male-identified)
Oleg Gazenko (male-identified)
Ideally, Sad-bird is played by a non-binary actor.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    University of Iowa
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    University of Iowa
    ,
    2021