Become an official producer of Samuel A. Simon's newest play Dementia Man, An Existential Journey by donating today! Your support will help bring Dementia Man to everyone who needs to see it and create a vision of a meaningful life for those with cognitive disorders.
Dementia Man, An Existential Journey is the autobiographical story of a man who faces his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease by actor and playwright Samuel A. Simon.
In this full-length theatrical piece, Simon takes the stage as a man facing his cognitive decline and asks the hard questions of what to do next in the face of what he calls “an existential journey.” It is a peek into the head and heart of the struggle with a broken medical system and a personal and family tragedy. The play challenges the audience to imagine a meaningful future for the millions of people with neurocognitive disease, with accommodation and adaptation.
Dementia Man, An Existential Journey is directed by Thadd McQuade with dramaturgy by Gabrielle Maisels and premieres at Capital Fringe in Washington D.C. in July 2023.
"Congratulations to Sam Simon on his brilliantly conceived new work! All were in agreement on the vital importance of this message. A unique first-hand account from a charismatic storyteller."
- Gloria Rosen, TEDx Speaker, Performer, and Playwright
“I loved the complete unpredictability of the show. As you already know, it's such an unprecedented theatrical experience to hear Sam's story -- but it was more than a novel experience. It was head-spinning, even shocking, in a captivating way, to see him trying to decipher himself and try to get his arms around his life as impacted by the disease process. It felt like a true breaking-through from a hidden dimension of human experience. At dinner we talked about it nearly the entire time. All of us felt immediately invested in the direction of the show and all of the possibilities for its development and audiences.”
“A well-orchestrated story.”
“You are very brave to do this.”
“Very touching and compelling. I was riveted.”
“Great Show”
“You have a charm that shines from the stage and makes us feel welcome!”
Samuel A. (Sam) Simon started his career in Washington, DC as a lawyer for Ralph Nader’s first advocacy group. He then spent 25 years as head of a public affairs firm. In that work, he was often in the news, with appearances on Face The Nation, Phil Donahue Show, Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and many more. Sam calls his playwriting and theatre work his 4th Age. His first play, The Actual Dance, Love’s Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer , has toured from 2013 to the present. In 2021, The Actual Dance was turned into an award-winning biography. Sam lives in McLean with his wife Susan. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Rewards
Donor
Donate $75.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
Become a Donor of Dementia Man, An Existential Journey! Includes a signed copy of Sam's book, The Actual Dance, Love’s Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer.
Contributing Producer
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
Become a Contributing Producer of Dementia Man, An Existential Journey! Includes a signed copy of Sam's book, The Actual Dance, Love’s Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer.
Co-Associate Producer
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
Become a Co-Associate Producer of Dementia Man, An Existential Journey! Includes a signed copy of Sam's book, The Actual Dance, Love’s Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer.
Associate Producer
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
Become an Associate Producer of Dementia Man, An Existential Journey! Includes a signed copy of Sam's book, The Actual Dance, Love’s Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer.
Producer
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
Become a Producer of Dementia Man, An Existential Journey! Includes a signed copy of Sam's book, The Actual Dance, Love’s Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer.