Press Hits
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"...[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."
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"...this is very brave of you—way to go! I love it. I just had my mother get diagnosed with cancer... and her attitude is just like yours: get out loud about it, be brave about it!" BROADCAST: DC playwright stars in 'Dementia Man, An Existential Journey' |
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"Sam is an example that life doesn't stop because of an Alzheimer's diagnosis." Sam’s Story: Coming to Terms with Alzheimer’s Disease |
ABC7 News Washington, D.C.: Local D.C. playwright, Samuel A. Simon discusses one man autobiographical performance of "Dementia Man, An Existential Journey".
Boston Globe: Redefining “retirement age.” Why almost one-third of older adults plan to work past 70 or never retire.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America: Dramatizing a Dramatic Diagnosis
InsideNoVA: Tribute in Woodbridge to host 'Dementia Man'
Audience Praise
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"I thought his play was remarkable and even more so, Mr Simon. He brought such a strong sense of hope and possibility to his fight with dementia - not the usual response to that diagnosis! His heart and sensitivity are obviously still a strong part of who he is. I just found the play and a brief conversation with him to be so full of hope, like the essential person and their soul doesn’t have to disappear."
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"I was totally blown away by [Sam's] play: its honesty, its bravery and its wretched portrait of American healthcare, just to name a few reasons why I am still thinking about it today. I hope you get to perform it many more times—and make a change in how the world views your cognitive impairment."
- Caroline Mayer |
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"Congratulations to Sam Simon on his brilliantly conceived new work! All were in agreement on the vital importance of this message. A unique first hand account from a charismatic storyteller."
- Gloria Rosen, TEDx Speaker, Performer, and Playwright |
"Have you ever heard a person diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s speak candidly and clearly about their journey? Over the years I have had the privilege of hearing some of these real-life stories, but this weekend I had the opportunity to attend Sam Simon’s performance of Dementia Man: An Existential Journey which was part of the Capital Fringe Festival. It was absolutely amazing! [...] I was in tears several times throughout the performance, mainly because I see how many families struggle with these challenges. To see someone transparently sharing his personal story and thoughts in front of an audience was beautiful."
- Steve Gurney, Founder of the Positive Aging Community
- Steve Gurney, Founder of the Positive Aging Community
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“A well-orchestrated story.”
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“Very touching and compelling. I was riveted.”
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“Wow! What an emotional afternoon. Sam and Susan have done am wonderful job portraying some of the real struggles and impact a dementia diagnosis has on a person and their family. The play really re-lit my strong desire to be part of the solution. Thank you for educating us and creating more upclose awareness. Everyone needs to meet Sam and Susan and see this play. Together we are stronger!”
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“I loved the complete unpredictability of the show. As you already know, it's such an unprecedented theatrical experience to hear Sam's story -- but it was more than a novel experience. It was head-spinning, even shocking, in a captivating way, to see him trying to decipher himself and try to get his arms around his life as impacted by the disease process. It felt like a true breaking-through from a hidden dimension of human experience. At dinner we talked about it nearly the entire time. All of us felt immediately invested in the direction of the show and all of the possibilities for its development and audiences.”
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"...what a profound impact your performance left me to ponder! I truly believe there has to be a way that your performance can reach as many people as possible as there are so many families who are are dealing with the same challenges and struggles as you and Susan are facing each day with grace, honesty, and courage! From the difficulty in getting a diagnosis, to developing a follow-up treatment plan with empathetic care providers, you lay out your journey as the challenge it truly was! It was a privilege to be part of your journey…"
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“I appreciated the chance to see this moving play a second time (I saw it at the JCC during the Fringe Festival). Yes, it inspired me to think about dementia in a more expansive way; to consider dementia as a stage of life, full of possibilities, rather than a tragedy. Dementia Man shows how important the arts can be in this challenging journey, giving audiences a chance to see a person living with dementia as a citizen of the world. Sam passionately asserted a sense of self while helping us re-define dementia and build community.”
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"Sam Simon 's Dementia Man play was an amazing opportunity to get insight into the thoughts and processes that go through a person's mind and experiences suffering this progressive disease. I found it so profound and useful. For those afflicted with this disease, caregivers/families, friends and professional caregivers. I wish that I could get this play/experience out to my patients' families, and caregivers, support groups, etc. Sam is truly insightful. He is making a stressful and scary Healthcare situation into a process that will improve the quality of life for many directly and through the understanding and insight of others. This play needs to be seen by all!!!! If you are not dealing with this now, at some point you will one way or another!! Bravo Sam!!!!"
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"You and Susan are very brave to share your story in such an amazingly creative way. I learned new things about Alzheimer’s and, of course, we are all hoping for that magic cure. Thank you for sharing your story."
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"I congratulate you on your excellent performance and on having the courage to do it."
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“Great Show”
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“This is a very important piece!!!”
