Who says nothing good ever happens at Starbucks?
Clinical Depression (the funny kind) began as a project for a writing workshop taught by D.B. Gilles. Drew continued to meet with D.B. every week at their favorite Starbucks. The first draft was fifty pages, included haiku, and was, yes, depressing. Before long Drew ditched the haiku and discovered the humor in his experiences.
It was in George DiCenzo’s master class that Drew began performing the show in pieces and he was struck by people’s reaction to the honesty and humor. It’s also where he met Bilgin Turker and that’s when the project came into it’s own. The show debuted at Under St. Mark’s Theater on September 5th, 2007.
Ultimately, Drew’s goal is to entertain the depressed and non- depressed alike in New York and beyond. Then he could quit waiting tables. He’s also hoping to challenge the stigma surrounding mood disorders and help a few people along the way.
Reviews
NYTheater.com Review by Shelley Molad.
To watch someone so alive and vibrant on stage, someone who at one point came too close to death, is inspiring and uplifting. And having the privilege of seeing Clinical Depression with such a supportive audience was a truly touching and worthwhile experience.
www.nytheatre.com - Feb 29, 2008
Review by Merry Pool.
Wininger succeeded in making a difficult subject humorous without trivializing the seriousness of the disease. At 29, wearing khakis and a black button down shirt, Wininger does not come across as a comedian in first blush. More academic than joker, he used understated sarcasm to his benefit.
Merry Pool Review
