Dementia Man, An Existential Journey is the award-winning autobiographical story of a man who faces his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

In this full-length theatrical piece, actor and playwright Samuel A. Simon takes the stage as a man facing his cognitive decline and asks the hard questions of what to do next in the face of what he calls “an existential journey.” It is a peek into the head and heart of the struggle with a broken medical system and a personal and family challenge. The play challenges the audience to imagine a meaningful future for the millions of people with neurocognitive disease, with accommodation and adaptation.

According to Broadway World, 

"...[Samuel A. Simon's] story comes to life so vividly that one almost forgets there is one man on stage with a script. Sam’s story offers a raw, unfiltered view into the challenges one faces when beginning to lose cognition, including the fear of the unknown; the urgency of the decisions that have to be made; and the tribulations of navigating a broken healthcare system all while balancing the desire to live a full life, a comfortable life, and a life of service to others."

Directed by Thadd McQuade with dramaturgy by Gabrielle Maisels, Dementia Man, An Existential Journey made its world premiere at Capital Fringe in Washington D.C. in July 2023 and is the recipient of the 2023 Dementia Arts Impact Award by the Dementia Spring Foundation. We are delighted that Sam and his wife Susan agreed to visit Shepherdstown and bring this wonderful play to our community.

Playwright's Website

Tickets: Pay What You Can. Ticket revenues support Mr. Simon's work and the Shepherdstown Opera House.

General Admission. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

Thank you to our Sponsors for their financial support of this production.

Thank you to our non-profit Promotion Partners for helping to spread the word about this performance with their communities.

Presenting Sponsors:

WVU Medicine - Jefferson Medical Center & Berkeley Medical Center

Harmony at Martinsburg, Assisted Living & Memory Care

Sponsors:

Myers Hill & Associates Law Firm

Stay Home Senior Services

Nonprofit Organizations - Promotion Partners:

Alzheimer's Association - West Virginia Chapter

Berkeley Senior Services

Betty's Wish

Dementia Friendly Washington County, MD

Hospice of the Panhandle

Shepherdstown Area Independent Living

Shepherdstown Public Library - Dementia Caregivers Support Group

Seating in the historic Shepherdstown Opera House is limited. Advance purchase strongly encouraged. Online sales end 1 hours before showtime. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks for sale before the performance (ID required for beer & wine purchase, no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible. Questions? Please email Contact@OperaHouseLive.com or call 304-876-3704.