The best kind of art, be it visual, written, or performance, is the kind that makes us question. Specifically, question the world in which we live and how it can be changed for the better. This sort of art sparks a dialog with the audience and opens our mind to new possibilities. Enter Sick, an autobiographical, one woman+accompanist show now playing at the New City Theater. This play is more than good, it is powerful.

Before I get into the really heavy stuff, Sick is simply well performed. Elizabeth Kenny does a fantastic job relating her life story. She has an unrestrainable energy about her throughout the entire show, even when describing the most soul crushing hardships. As a cue card wielding accompanist, Tina Kunz Rowely does a great job as well. Her calm voice gives sharp contrast to Ms. Kenny’s performance and provides the audience with an anchor so they are not overwhelmed.

Now, the heavy stuff. Sick is the true story of Elizabeth Kenny’s descent into madness as she is prescribed one psychiatric drug after another. Kenny’s story shines a critical light on the world of mental health and illuminates an inescapable conclusion: doctors and drug companies don’t understand the human brain nearly as well as they believe.

The tragedy of a young woman suffering untold anguish because psychiatric drugs are being pushed too aggressively is truly moving, and somehow Ms. Kenny manages to put an amusing spin on it. This is the first show I can say has made me laugh and cry at the same time. What’s more, it makes one wonder. What happens to all the people in the same predicament who aren’t fortunate enough to find a person who can help them?

Sick struck a personal note with me because I live with someone who has chronic health problems, and often the medication she is given makes the problem worse. In addition to being a wonderful show, I hope enough people will see Sick and hear other stories like it to change the way we treat mental health problems. The show runs until April 30th at the New City Theater. Tickets are available here. I recommend anyone who can to go see it; the cost of a ticket simply cannot compare with the experience.