A THEASY BEST BET: BEST OF FRINGE 2018
Solo performance about a physician struggling to give a talk in the face of grief
Touches on family relationships, career, and the fragility of the grieving period
1 hour, no intermission

Best Bets

Grand Rounds

By Chris Adrian; Directed by Polly Noonan
Part of the 2018 New York International Fringe Festival

Off Off Broadway, Solo Show
Runs through 10.28.18
FringeHUB, 685 Washington Street

Caroline Luft in Grand Rounds. Photo by Eric Korenman.

BOTTOM LINE: Grand Rounds is a beautifully honest story of love, family, and breaking down.

A physician (Caroline Luft) is given the seemingly impossible task of giving a talk after the recent death of a family member. As she stumbles through her lecture (coincidentally on narrative medicine), an intense and complicated family relationship is revealed, and the tough outer shell this physician maintains comes apart at the seams.

Grand Rounds is uncomfortably natural in the best possible way. Both the space and Caroline Luft's exquisite talent lend themselves seamlessly to this story, allowing audiences to be transported into a lecture hall almost immediately. This bond between Luft and the audience only strengthens throughout the performance, as more and more intimate details of the physician's life are revealed. Her commentary to Kate, a student in the back of the room, adds a delightful comedic layer.

Luft is captivating; her energy and vulnerability make it impossible to look away. Not to mention that this is a piece in which every line is significant. Structured a bit like a puzzle, the way this physician divulges information, interspersed with her attempts to give this lecture, leaves us both constantly wanting to know more and continually trying to piece together who this woman really is. Grand Rounds is a best bet for anyone; the relatable subject matter of grieving and family relationships, combined with Luft's unforgettable performance, makes for an absolutely fascinating evening of theater.

(Grand Rounds plays at FringeHUB, 685 Washington Street at Charles Street, through October 28, 2018. Meet at the PINK FringeNYC flag. The running time is 1 hour. Performances are Sun 10/14 at 3:30, Tue 10/16 at 8:30, Sat 10/20 at 8:45, Wed 10/24 at 9, and Sun 10/28 at 2. There is no late seating at FringeNYC. Tickets are $22 (plus $3.69 ticketing fee), $16 (plus $3.51) for seniors, and are ONLY available online at fringenyc.org. For more information visit grandroundsshow.org.)

Grand Rounds is by Chris Adrian. Directed by Polly Noonan. Performed by Caroline Luft.