SYNOPSIS

DA VINCI AT THE DINER is the story of Josh, a brilliant twenty-something math prodigy who’s also a schizophrenic. The play follows the relationship Josh has with Leonardo da Vinci who “appears” before Josh inside a New York diner as the result of Josh’s hallucinations. Da Vinci and Josh discuss the intricacies of problem solving, creating art, and finding a place for yourself in the world. As the play develops, Josh wrestles with the dilemma of taking his meds, which will quell his episodes, allowing him to better blend in with the world, but at the same time, the medications make it impossible for Josh to “see” his confidant, da Vinci, the person Josh reveres above everyone else. The piece is enhanced by Carla, a waitress; Henry, a retired high school math teacher; and Tony, the diner’s owner.

PLAYWRIGHT: William Bigelow is a screenwriter, television writer, and playwright. His TV writing credits span from Murder, She Wrote to GRIMM on NBC, with many stops in between. His play Leap Year won an Edgerton Award for Best New American Plays of 2013.