by Shirley Lorraine

Ode to a New Year

‘Twas the night before Christmas
All the theaters were dark
Productions were finished
The stages now stark

Few rehearsals, few readings
Till the New Year will come
Some actors get restless
And do Improv for fun

Now with no costumes, no blocking
No scripts to be read
So many actors
Are going out of their heads!

But wait, there is hope
The horizon still looms
‘Tis rumored auditions
Will be held very soon

Could it be? Yes, it could –
Stages come back alive
As the calendar changes
Theater lovers will thrive

On Simi, on Ojai
Conejo and more
Audiences wait with impatience
To see what’s in store

Soon it’s back to the boards
With sets to be built
Excitement mounts quickly
Acting back in full tilt

County stages will light up
The curtains will part
With theaters announcing
Their new seasons’ start

So, patrons get ready
To buy tickets and go
As the New Year takes hold–
It’s “On with the Show!”

(Apologies to Clement C. Moore)
Look forward to 2022 season announcements from all our favorite county theaters. Coming soon!

Happy New Year!

by Shirley Lorraine

Elite Stages Non-traditional Holiday Offering

To usher out 2021, the Elite Theater in Oxnard brings an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus to the stage. Not your average light-weight holiday fare full of cheery songs and well wishes. Instead, it is a feast of blood and bitter tongue.

This version, adapted and directed by Bill Walthall, offers a panoply of variations on the Bard’s theme of rivalry, revenge, and retribution. The cast is all-female, save for one. The title character is renamed Tita, played by Sindy McKay-Swerdlove. She embodies her role completely, complete with haircut and tattoos. Well done. She is flanked by an army of Goths, followers and soldiers waiting to do as she bids.

Most of the character names from the original were not changed, simply made to fit within this premise. Warrior women works well, and one quickly dismisses any necessary gender mentions. The character of Aaron the Moor is managed capably by Stan McConnell, the sole male in the cast, who maintains a critical role in the story.

The production utilizes multiple levels of the theater to good advantage, adding depth to the action. Props are used sparingly, allowing the actors freedom to bring the Bard’s words into focus. Costuming has a Mad Max feel to it, giving the staging an almost futuristic and timeless ambiance which has been proven to work well for Shakespeare’s writings.

The acting acumen of the cast is uneven, keeping in mind that this is community theater, and everyone must start somewhere. Shakespeare is not the easiest of trials for any actor, seasoned or not, and I was impressed with the line delivery throughout regardless of recitation style. Every line deserves to be heard.

The main characters are all experienced and solid. Backing up Tita is Theresa Secor as Marcus Andronicus, Tita’s sister. She and Swerdlove deliver exceptionally passionate performances. Also of note are Alyssa Carmen as Tamora, Queen of the Goths, and Ashely Maimes as Lavinia, Tita’s daughter.

To minimize the bloodshed (this is touted as the Bard’s bloodiest play), a murder coach (Prof. John Comstock) is credited in the program. Director Walthall cleverly staged bodies to disappear into a great pit or otherwise go out of sight. The many killings are then implied by movement adjustments and costuming enhancement.

The first act was strong and powerfully played as the story unfolded and the audience adjusted to the “look” of the action. However, the second act seemed to me to downgrade into periods of melodrama in delivery and characterization, eliciting laughs as one after another individual was dispensed with and dragged offstage, to return as another minor character.

Andronicus is an unusual choice for season’s end, but it does serve as a reminder that despite a challenging year we have managed to survive and move forward. The Elite is struggling to continue as well. Your support is appreciated.

Andronicus continues through December 19 on the South Stage at the Elite Theater. www.theElite.org or 805-483-5118.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
King Richard – HBO Max

King Richard chronicles the rise of Venus and Serena Williams to tennis elites, at one time being ranked No.1 and No. 2 in the world of tennis, all due to the plan their father’s grand plan.

Richard Williams (Will Smith) started coaching them from a very young age on the neglected tennis courts of Compton rain or shine to develop their skills to a level in which he was able to seek out funding and to find a professional coach that would take them on for nothing. King Richard (as he was come to be known in the Compton neighborhoods) was able to get the attention of pro tennis coach Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn)

Cohen coached well-known players like John McEnroe and Pete Sampras, and after seeing both girls play he agreed to take on Venus (Saniyya Sidney), but didn’t feel that Serena (Demi Singleton) was ready. While Venus was coached by Cohen, Serena’s mother Brandy Williams (Aunjanue Ellis) worked with Serena to strengthen her skills. The family had 5 girls total, including Richard’s 3 stepdaughters, who were all very close and supported of each other.

Cohen convinced Richard to have Venus play in juniors tournaments, the traditional pathway to going pro, and Venus was 63-0 in her first season. Richard wanted his daughters to be respectful and practice modesty, and was constantly on them to manage their pride and egos, especially as Venus was quickly seen as unbeatable. Though she was playing great and winning all her matches, Richard decided to pull Venus from the juniors after only one year and stopped working with Cohen after a meeting that went wrong with some investors Cohen had lined up.

Richard was even more convinced of Venus’ ability to go pro, so looked for a new coach and the means to follow their dreams. He reached out to Coach Rick Macci, who coached players like Jennifer Capriati and had a training facility in Florida, and convinced Macci to come to California to see Venus and Serena. Macci agreed to coach Venus and move the family to Florida.

Richard decided to remove Venus from any tournament play for the next several years and only practice with pros, focus on studies and have childhood fun. Once the whole family relocated to Florida, he shared this with Coach Macci who was stunned, feeling duped and quite confused how to move forward but went along with Richard’s unrelenting commitment to his plan. Though it was hard for Serena, Richard told her that though he knew Venus was eventually be No.1, that Serena would be the greatest ever.

Venus improved significantly over the next few years, and at 15 years old Coach Macci felt she was unquestionably ready to play a pro tournament, suggesting the upcoming Bank of the West tournament in Oakland. Though Richard had his reservations. he eventually allowed Venus to play after asking her personally if she felt ready. Coach Macci found a sponsor willing to offer a $3 million dollar if they would sign the contract before the tournament.

When asked, Venus decided to pass on the contract and see what offers could come after her first tournament in years. Venus played well and ended up in the finals on the main court with Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, the No.1 ranked player at the time. Though she didn’t win, she became known to the world and 9 months later signed a $12 million dollar contract with Reebok.

Venus went on the win Wimbleton five times, and two years later Serena joined Venus on tour becoming a 23-time Grand Slam champion and considered perhaps the greatest player in tennis history, just as Richard predicted.

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 26m

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
The Great – Hulu Originals
Season 1 (2020) & Season 2 (2021)

The Great shares the complex story of Catherine The Great (Elle Fanning) and her rise to power in 18^th Century Russia by actually overthrowing her own husband Peter (Nicholas Hoult), the son of Peter the Great, to bring Russia into the renaissance with science, art and equality for women.

In Season 1, Catherine (who was German) goes to Russia to marry Peter due to an arranged marriage by her mother and Peter’s father (Peter The Great), which made her  Empress and heir to the throne if anything happened to young Emperor Peter. Catherine quickly realized that Peter was a self-centered brat and decided that she must save Russia from Peter.

Catherine began to look for those that she could recruit, first was her handmade Marial (Phoebe Fox). Next was a member of the court and palace intellectual Count Orlo (Sacha Dhawan) and an unhappy military general, Velementov (Douglas Hodge) as well as support from her sterile lover Leo (Sebastian Souza) who was gifted to her by Peter when he noticed that Catherine seemed unhappy and was not interested in intimacy with him.

While Catherine was plotting the coup, Peter’s best friend Grigor (Gwilym Lee) was beginning to find it unbearable that Peter was continually having sex with his wife Georgina, and in a moment of despair, added arsenic to his food in an attempt to poison Peter. Unfortunately for Grigor, Peter lived and blamed the meal staff for his poisoning, killing all of them.

Peter had a new outlook on life after his poisoning causing Catherine to feel optimistic about peaceful coexistence with Peter and their increasing chemistry, ultimately leading to Catherine becoming pregnant. This fact, along with Peter taking Leo hostage, caused Catherine to be even more committed to the coup and planned it to take place on her birthday, but Marial betrayed Catherine to Peter thinking it was the only way to save both of them.

In Season 2, Catherine continued her coup and after 4 months began making ground to win her war with Peter. Peter was caught in his deep love for Catherine and respect for her impressive, relentless battle against him in her effort to rule Russia. Peter eventually gave in and agreed to live under house arrest at the palace while waiting for their son Paul to be born. A short time later Catherine got a surprise visit from her mother, who was disappointed in her efforts and intended to do her best to undermine Catherine’s goals in transforming Russia.

Catherine continued running the country throughout her pregnancy and started to develop a strong bond with Peter’s Aunt Elizabeth (Belinda Bromilow), who had been devoted to Peter her entire life but decided to eventually join Catherine in her efforts to rule Russia for the sake of its people. Once Paul was born, Aunt Elizabeth took on a primary role in his care while Catherine and Peter attempted to avoid their growing feelings for each other.

Taglined as “*an occasionally true story”, The Great offers a spirited look into history with razor sharp wit and likable hedonism and debauchery from an extremely talented cast. I think a TV-MA rating seems light for this series as it contains extremely mature adult content ranging from frequent crude sexual innuendo to simulated sex acts and nudity, lots of cursing, physical assaults, and grotesque images (all of which are often sources of dark humor)

Rated: TV-MA

by Shirley Lorraine

Hark! Theaters Herald the Holidays!

Ventura County stages offer a variety of performances this December, most with a short run particularly at the beginning of the month. Look at what’s “on the boards” county-wide. Full details are available at each theater’s website.

Ventura – The Rubicon Theatre is hosting two holiday fundraising events. On Friday, December 3, a grand celebration at the Halter/Encinas Home from 6-11 p.m. Space is limited. On Sunday, December 5, an Excursion and Home Tour of the fabulous Wishing Well Ranch in Arcadia features a Christmas Extravaganza. Airbus transportation is included for this one-time opportunity. Details for both events are at www.rubicontheatre.org .

Santa Paula – The Santa Paula Theatre Center proudly presents a one night only concert on Saturday, December 4 by The Honeysuckle Possums, an all- female high-energy string band. This event is almost sold out – check the website for availability. www.santapaulatheatercenter.org

Ojai – The Ojai Arts Center Theater is staging Home for the Holidays December 10 through 12. This theatrical celebration features intergenerational community talent and local favorites. Donations are suggested. The event benefits local non-profit organizations Humane Society and Help of Ojai. Each performance is unique. www.ojaiact.org.

Oxnard – The Elite Theater is breaking holiday tradition by staging Andronicus by William Shakespeare. Per the theater’s website “because what says the holidays better than the Bard’s bloodiest play?” A bold move, Elite. The play runs December 3 through 19 except for Saturday December 11. That night the theater will be dark so folks can enjoy the Channel Island Annual Parade of Lights. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., one Thursday December 16 at 8 p.m. www.theelite.org.

Moorpark – The High Street Arts Center theater brings Christmas 2021 December 3 through 12 featuring music and stories of the holidays for all ages. Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., with one Saturday matinee on December 11 at 2 p.m. www.highstreetartscenter.com.

Simi Valley – Now on stage – Always, Patsy Cline November 20 through December 19. The timeless music of singer Patsy Cline is featured in this story of her rise to stardom at the Grand Ole Opry. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

On Sunday, December 5, one performance of a Family Friendly Holiday Comedy Show will be staged at 7:30 p.m. www.svvac.org.

Thousand Oaks – At Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Allwayz on Stage, a theater company for young adult with diverse abilities, will be performing Willy Wonka Jr. December 3-5. Performances are 7:30 on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets and information available at www.hillcrestarts.com.

Also at the Center, the California Shakespeare Company will perform a world premiere original holiday performance of King Shamlet’s Christmas Carol, one night only, Saturday December 11 at 8 p.m.

All theaters require proof of vaccination, or a negative Covid-19 test within 24 hours of attendance. All require masks and adhere to county safety guidelines.

by Shirley Lorraine

Santa Paula delivers post hiatus

Santa Paula Theatre Center has reopened its doors and raised the proverbial curtains at last with Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo. The production was originally planned for 2020 but was put on hold during the Covid crisis that shut performances down county-wide. The actors have hung in there and are now pleased to present this thought-provoking work.

The sizzling 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist script is filled with smart characters who make dumb (human) decisions, woven throughout a discourse and exploration of the meaning of feminism. The play questions how life might have turned out had alternate life routes been taken, how people cope differently with their choices, and the cost some of those choices extract.

Is the grass greener on the other side? Or is it all an illusion, a dream, an unfulfilled wish? Why do we question our choices in retrospect? Is it possible to be content with the choices we made? One resource cites the play as “an unflinching look at gender politics in the wake of 20^th-century feminist ideals.” Heady stuff well presented.

Nimbly directed by Taylor Kasch, the cast features Rosie Gordon, Jessi May Stevenson, Erin Hollander, Susan Muhrer and Ron Feltner.

Jessi May Stevenson is Catherine, a woman who chose a career over a relationship. Coming home to care for her aging mother (Susan Muhrer), she reunites with Gwen (Rosie Gordon) and Don Harper (Ron Feltner), a friend and former boyfriend from college who married after she left for a life of travel and educational fulfillment. The reunion rekindles old feelings probably best kept buried, leading to upheavals all around.

The Harper’s babysitter, Avery (Erin Hollander) adds new dimension to the awkward triangle. Avery’s youthful, open, pragmatic, and accepting perspective adds food for thought, proving to be a much-needed balancing force.

The cast performs as a solid ensemble, presenting with clarity and determination. There is an intermission. Patrons can once again enjoy the “pub” and purchase tickets to perchance win an original piece of artwork by Kasch currently in use on the set.

On a more somber note: It was recently learned that William “Bill” Lucking, one of the founders of the Santa Paula Theatre Center, passed away in October at age 80. A gifted actor, Lucking had recurring roles on several television series. The community is in debt to him and his late partner, actor Dana Elcar, for creating such a warm and welcoming theater center for all to enjoy. Gentlemen, your gift to the community lives on and thrives.

Masks and proof of vaccination are required to attend the performance, per current health department mandates. Discretion is advised as the play features mature themes and strong language.

The run of Rapture, Blister, Burn continues with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through November 28. Book online and choose your seats. www.santapaulatheatrecenter, [email protected] or (805) 525-4645. The Center is located at 125 S. 7^th Street, downtown Santa Paula.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Red Notice – Netflix Originals

On their wedding day as a symbol of his undying devotion, Marc Antony presented Cleopatra with 3 bejeweled eggs each one more eqisite than the last. For centuries they were thought to be of myth and rumors, until in 1907 just outside of Cairo a farmer unearthed two of them. Some say the third was never found, others claim it was discovered, but just as quickly lost never to be seen again. Cleopatra’s first egg was put on display in a museum in Rome for all to see. The second egg was sold at auction numerous times and currently was in a private collection.

A very wealthy father in Egypt wanted to give his daughter Cleopatra an unrivaled wedding present and offered $300 million dollars to anyone who could bring him all three eggs. This bounty caught the eye of criminals around the world, among them was world renowned art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds). On a tip that Cleopatra’s egg in Rome was going to be stolen by Booth, Inspector Das (Ritu Arya) teamed up with FBI profiler John Hartley (Duane Johnson) to stop him.

Das and Hartley went to the Rome museum and found that they were too late, as the egg on display had already been switched out with a fake but had the luck of spotting Booth in the crowd and gave chase. Booth escaped out a window, down a construction chute, stole a scooter making a clean getaway, almost. When Booth returned to his home in Bali three days later, he found Hartley sitting in his living room.

Das and her team took Booth into custody, but as Hartley got in the truck someone disguised as a swat team member switched the eggs. When Das discovered the egg was a fake, she went and found Hartley, who was on his way to to the airport, and confronted him about the counterfeit egg, an $8 million encrypted wire transfer in a Swiss bank account in his name, and also that she had contacted FBI headquarters who said they had never heard of him.

Das sent Hartley to a black site/prison in Russia, and found Booth was already there.Thinking that The Bishop had to be behind them being caught, Booth explained the $300 million bounty for the 3 eggs, and that another well known art thief known as “The Bishop” must have been aiding Das and behind their capture. They were taken from their cell to the warden’s office where they found The Bishop (Gal Gadot), who explained that she was the one that framed Hartley.

The second egg was owned by an International arms dealer named Sotto Voce, so Booth and Hartley decided to team up with a plan to steal the egg when Voce had his masquerade party at his home in Valencia. Booth created a diversion by causing a small riot and together they escaped, stole a helicopter, then one of Booth’s friends picked them up in a jet and flew them to Valencia to get the second egg.

Hartley saw The Bishop at the party and went after her while Booth went after the egg. Little did they know that The Bishop and Voce had teamed up, but she drugged Voce and took the egg while Booth and Hartley were tied up. After escaping, they headed to Argentina to look for the third egg which was supposedly among the loot in Hitler’s lost bunker, which had yet to be found.

Surprisingly, Red Notice has even more unexpected twists to discover as they all go after the third egg, with plenty of the usual clever, comedic one liners from Ryan Reynolds all along the way.

Rated: PG-13 (Violence and Action|Strong Language|Some Sexual References)
Runtime: 1h 57m

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Squid Game – Netflix Original

Set in Seoul, South Korea, Squid Game follows 456 players who, because they were living on the brink of financial ruin, decide to enter a game offering billions to the winner, initially not knowing that the game had deadly consequences. After accepting, players were picked up, gassed and transported to an unknown location. They woke up in a dorm in green track suits with assigned numbers up to 456, while all the staff wore red hooded jackets and pants with a fencing mask having the shape of either a circle, triangle or square painted on the front to indicate their jobs.

The players were told they would play six games over six days and the winners would win a large cash prize. Given a last chance to quit before things began, players then had to sign a “Player Consent Form” which consisted of three clauses: Clause 1 – A player is not allowed to stop playing; Clause 2 – A player who refuses to play will be eliminated; and Clause 3 – Games may be terminated if the majority agrees. Players were then led through a brightly-colored MC Escher stairs labyrinth to the playing field, which looked like an outdoor park with grass and trees painted on the walls and a 10 foot tall girl doll at the far end. The players were told the game was “Red Light-Green Light” and were reminded of the basic rules of the game. Players who didn’t follow the rules would be eliminated, which unknown to the players at the time actually meant shot and killed. When the first few players were shot, many others panicked and kept moving trying to escape and were shot as well, with over two hundred players being eliminated in the first game.

The eliminated players bodies were put in black coffins with pink ribbons and incinerated, and the remaining 201 players returned to the dorm where they were informed that each lost player represented 100,000,000 won toward the cash prize that counting the total players could add up to 45.6 billion won ($38 million). To emphasize the cash prize, money flowed into a giant, clear plexiglass piggy bank on the ceiling for each player that was eliminated. Though the money was very tempting, it seemed that close to half of the players were terrified by the reality of their situation and wanted to end the game, so a vote was called due to Clause 3 of the Player Contract. The players voted 100 to continue and 101 to end the games, so the games were halted, though were told that if a majority decides to resume, the games could begin again.

Most of the players were in serious financial trouble, so 187 decided to restart the games and repeated the secretive process of returning and resuming where they had left off on Game 2, which was to cut out an assigned shape on a thin piece of honeycomb with a small needle without breaking it or be eliminated. All games were timed, and this was set in a playground area where players struggled to gently cut their shapes as other players were being shot all around them.

Not knowing the next game, players were told to divide into teams of ten, and found out the game was Tug-of-War over a giant pit that would eliminate the losing team. Thinking that teaming up was a good thing, players paired off for the 4^th game thinking they were allies only to discover to be pitted against each other in a game of marbles. The trend of offering little information continued to fool players into false alliances and poor choices, eventually pitting two childhood friends against each other in the final Squid Game, which they had played together as children.

Squid Game is the most-watched Netflix series of all time, debuting on the charts at No.1 and in its second week reached a rare 3 billion minutes viewed, being only the sixth title to ever do so.

Rated: TV-MA and contains graphic violence, sexual content and mature themes.
Runtime: 9 – 1hr Episodes

by Shirley Lorraine

Workplace Woes Erupt at the Elite

There’s nothing like live theater. Always a treat, often a surprise, frequently a challenge. The Elite Theatre Company in Oxnard is bursting forth with excitement and new works in this returning season. On stage now is Severance Play, an original work by local playwright Michael Perlmutter. The work was chosen as the Elite’s 2020 Playwright Initiative Winner, and for good reason.

Perlmutter’s works, both onstage and off, are always insightful, intelligent and instilled with layers of nuance. Severance Play, billed as a black comedy, certainly fills the bill.

Staged in the round, this play in one act is riveting, explorative and hilarious. Brian Robert Harris directed a trio of highly capable actors, Brian Kolb, Kimberly Demmary and Maddie Boyd, in this fast-paced crisis-driven peek into the workplace of a small chemical company presented with severe challenges both on and below the emotionally charged surface.

The setting is highly detailed. Theater seats have been removed to accommodate desks, filing cabinets, steno chairs and computers. The computers are used and loaded with proper company logo and information. The white board is used. Employees get coffee. You feel you are really in an office setting.

Audience members are directed to socially acceptable spaced seating both on the actual stage and the usual audience seating area. Staging in the round can be extremely awkward and challenging. This production has achieved almost optimal viewing, from my perspective. The actors take every opportunity to present to all areas of the audience, using natural transitions effortlessly.

All three actors are superb in their portrayals. Kolb ramps up his character to a fever pitch while remaining understandable. I was exhausted just watching him. Demmary remained the “cool customer” throughout, controlling the situation with well-timed reactions and inflections. Boyd too, added just the right amount of youthful naivete laced with bravado to offer a solid character.

The writing is tight. Every word adds importance to the whole. The storyline starts with an explosive revelation and reveals layer after layer of additional background throughout for each of the characters. At times all the actors are speaking at once and it still completely makes sense. (If it were a musical, they would all be singing in counterpoint)

The very last moment, in my opinion, wasn’t a solid clincher moment. However, I left with a feeling of having seen something rather remarkable. After all the actors had been through, I understood the need to end on a laugh.

Bravo to writer Perlmutter, who continues to bring thoughtful, fresh ideas to the stage, and to the Elite for staging this challenging work. The play is filled with adult language and content, so discretion is advised.

Severance Play runs through November 21 Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Reservations are necessary as seating is limited due to social restrictions. (805) 483-5118, www.TheElite.org. Masks and proof of vaccination are required, per current county mandates.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Dopesick – Hulu Original

Dopesick is based on true events that happened surrounding the origins of the opioid crisis and how it created spikes in crimes and overdose deaths across the country.

Purdue Pharmaceuticals was the manufacturer of MS Contin, a strong pain reliever used in the 80’s used to treat severe pain. During this time, the medical industry was not focused on any type of pharmaceutical innovations for those experiencing moderate long term pain, generally prescribing Tylenol and Motrin for these conditions. Richard Sackler (Michael Stuhlbarg) was the head of family-owned Purdue Pharma and decided to commit the entire company’s fortune on developing a moderate pain reliever that could be sold long term.

The company was successful in creating an opiate that was time released, claiming that would diminish the euphoric effects and a claimed 1% addiction rate, so garnered special labeling by the FDA as being non-addictive. By the mid 90’s, Purdue had developed and began distributing OxyContin with an aggressive marketing campaign targeted mainly in rural communities where things like mining injuries were common. Dr. Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton) worked in a small coal mining town called Finch Creek where many of his patients had received work injuries in the mines that often resulted in long term moderate pain, so was the perfect target for Billy Cutler (Will Poulter) who was a member of the huge sales force hired by Purdue.

Purdue salesmen were trained to focus on OxyCotin’s special labeling by the FDA, being the only Schedule 2 narcotic to claim to not be a non-addictive opiate. They bought flowers and offered manicures to receptionists to gain access to doctors who they gave free samples and offered free getaway weekends in Arizona to listen to pain relief experts about industry innovations, specifically the redirect to focus on pharmaceutical solutions of long term moderate pain under the guise of thinking it was not OK to let people live with pain.

Dr. Finnix seemed to care greatly for his patients, some of whom he even brought into the world, and as a small town doctor often made house calls and responded whenever needed. He agreed to try OxyContin with some of his patients, and all had significant pain relief and results. One was a young woman named Betsy Mallum (Kaitlyn Dever) who recently injured her back on a mine car, the other a man who had shoulder issues for more than six years. Unknown to Dr. Finnix, Betsy was experiencing withdrawal symptoms even though the drug was said to be non-addictive.

Bridget Meyer (Rosario Dawson) was working for the DEA, and began to notice increases in burglaries, thefts, prostitution and child abandonment, and was able to correlate the facts and timeline to being directly caused by OxyContin. Around the same time two federal investigators, Rick Mountcastle (Peter Sarsgaard) and Randy Ramseyer (John Hoogenakker) were looking into Purdue’s special authorization from the FDA and some verifiable statistics that a large number of people were overdosing on OxyContin, as well as seeing it’s effects on increasing crimes across the board in areas where it was heavily distributed.

The first three episodes premiered on the same night, giving viewers a basic sense of the overall situation as it progressed from the mid 1980’s to mid 2000’s. Airs Tuesday nights 9pm on Hulu.

Rated: TV-MA for Some Violence, Drug Misuse, and Language Throughout.

Runtime: 8 – 1hr Episodes