Summaries and Critiques of Classical and Modern Plays

The bridge between modern and classic plays has never been as pronounced as it appears in Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor”. Based on the work of Anton Chekhov, the late 19th century playwright, “The Good Doctor” goes beyond the realm of tribute by combining the talents of Simon and the famed Russian. This modern play draws from Chekhov’s classic styling and still manages to display Simon’s signature humor.

The play is a collection of scenes tied together by a central character known as the Writer. Each scene is an adaptation of Chekhov’s lesser known comedic short stories that centered on ironic characters. The Writer, clearly based on Chekhov himself, appears several times throughout the play to progress the story by adding a touch of humor or by introducing the next scene. Simon’s playful wit is characterized by The Writer’s statement, “But if you found that ending too sad I can improve it, they then went home and won a million rubles.”

Scenes from the play include a tricky employer that cons her own subservient out of her wage, a cunning bride that turns the tables on her would-be seducer after she is newly married, a man offering to drown himself for the amusement of others and at the low cost of only a few rubles, a father’s attempts to foster his sons ascension to manhood in a brothel, and an ill actress that is so determined to land a role that she re-enacts a scene from Chekhov’s “The Three Sisters” by surprisingly playing all three roles.

This is a comedy with a focus on the irony of life and a message of laughter. Simon pays incredible tribute to the legacy of Chekhov by using his own talents to introduce the lesser known humorous side of the world famous Russian playwright.