Gingold Theatrical Group Marks 20 Years Of PROJECT SHAW

Gingold Theatrical Group’s PROJECT SHAW has returned this season with another script-in-hand reading, offering The Players Club audiences a chance to savour an all-too-relevant Shaw masterpiece. And if you haven’t heard of Gingold’s unique mission, or you’re merely curious about how one can present script readings with such verve, keep reading. Because what’s in store isn’t just another night at the theatre—it’s a spirited conversation across time.

On 17 March, the famed PROJECT SHAW presents THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA, directed by David Staller, who also happens to be Gingold Theatrical Group’s Artistic Director. Many in the theatre world consider THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA one of Shaw’s most intriguing “mystery plays”—the sort that deftly blends comedic flair with moral conundrums. According to Staller, Shaw’s script “is populated with some of the most extravagantly comedic characters ever created for the stage,” yet behind the laughter lurks a cutting question: who decides who receives scarce or costly medical treatment?

Though penned over a century ago, the play’s exploration of class disparities and healthcare ethics remains uncomfortably on point in our modern age. In fact, a recent study conducted by an American university suggested that nearly 30% of people struggle to afford what might be deemed “essential” treatments. So, as we watch Shaw’s doctors struggle to figure out whose life is most worthy of saving, the parallels to today’s healthcare debates become uncannily clear. If you’re partial to theatre that merges biting satire with themes that still resonate, THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA might well be the conversation-starter you never knew you needed.

A Cast To Remember

In typical Gingold style, the reading boasts a formidable lineup, featuring familiar faces and comedic luminaries. Nadia Brown (recently in The Devil’s Disciple), Robert Cuccioli (Welcome to the Big Dipper), Judy Gold (Yes, I Can Say That!), Stefania Gonzalez (Pericles), David Lee Huynh (Henry VI), Simon Jones (Trouble in Mind), George Dvorsky(The Connector), Rocco Sisto (Bad News! i was there…), James Rana (The Government Inspector), and Nick Wyman(Help) round out a diverse ensemble of accomplished talents. Each will bring a particular flavour to Shaw’s comedic (and occasionally scathing) dialogues.

One unmissable treat is the presence of Judy Gold, known as much for her stand-up comedy as for her theatre work. Seeing how a sharp-witted performer interprets a classic Shaw text can be astonishing—particularly when that text is loaded with comedic intricacies. Add the gravitas of a seasoned Broadway presence like Robert Cuccioli, and you get an evening that promises both big laughs and bigger insights.

What Is PROJECT SHAW?

For the uninitiated, Gingold Theatrical Group’s PROJECT SHAW is no standard reading series. In fact, it made history in December 2009 as the first ever to present every one of Shaw’s 65 plays, from his sprawling full-lengths to one-acts and tiny sketches. Founded on the premise that Shaw’s ideals—human rights, social equality, and the unwavering pursuit of truth—continue to reverberate across centuries, GTG presents these script-in-hand performances to spark discussion. The approach is simple yet compelling: no elaborate costumes, no grand sets, just actors, a script, and the text’s raw power. It’s an intimate way to experience theatre, reminiscent of the days when enthusiastic amateurs would gather in living rooms to read through a new script, enthralled by each word.

But don’t mistake “script-in-hand” for laziness or amateurishness. One of GTG’s hallmarks is the care they pour into every choice—casting, direction, pacing, even the subtlety of comedic timing. The result is something that feels immediate, almost like you’re in on a secret workshop in which the next big West End or Broadway smash is being tested. It’s theatre stripped to its essence, shining a bright spotlight on the potency of Shaw’s language.

Revelling In Nuance

One unique angle that’s easy to miss in a large-scale production is the intangible intimacy of a reading. Without lavish scenery or meticulously choreographed stage business, the audience is free to focus on the dialogue, subtext, and indeed on each actor’s vocal inflections. For THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA, that means you’ll likely catch nuances of Shaw’s arguments about medical ethics that might be obscured by scenic grandeur in a full staging. There’s a hush to the format, too—a sense that we’re all leaning in, forging a kind of unspoken pact with the cast to truly listen. It’s not an evening for passive spectating; it’s an invitation to engage intellectually as well as emotionally.

This reading also invites us to examine an aspect of Shaw’s writing not often mentioned: his capacity to leave questions unanswered. Director David Staller has described THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA as leaving the audience with more mysteries than solutions, echoing how modern medical debates rarely offer a simple resolution. It’s a sobering reminder that theatre can hold up a mirror to our society’s flaws without always prescribing a remedy. Instead, we’re tasked with confronting these dilemmas ourselves.

What Else To Expect This Season

If you can’t make it to THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA (or if you enjoy it so much you’re craving more), Gingold’s 20th season continues with a sumptuous array of comedic and thought-provoking works. On 14 April, PROJECT SHAW takes on Noël Coward’s HAY FEVER, a classic comedy of misjudged flirtations and anarchy in the English countryside. Then, on 12 May, they’ll tackle Shaw’s SAINT JOAN, arguably one of his most profound works on faith, nationalism, and martyrdom. Finally, for those seeking something delightfully light and impeccably witty, 23 June brings Oscar Wilde’s THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, scheduled just in time for New York Pride Week. Expect flamboyant twists, sparkling epigrams, and a dash of 19th-century social satire.

Credibility by the Numbers

According to Broadway League statistics, script-in-hand readings and staged concert performances have been steadily growing in popularity, often attracting audiences who crave more intimate, intellectually engaging events. Gingold’s track record testifies to that appetite: consistently sold-out nights, glowing audience feedback, and the staying power to reach this 20-year milestone in Project Shaw’s evolution. Consider it a testament to how deeply Shaw’s wit and social conscience still resonate. Indeed, with over 200 people typically cramming into The Players Club for each reading, you can be sure you’re not alone in your curiosity.

A Nugget That Might Surprise You

Despite his reputation as a moralist and social critic, Shaw had a playful streak a mile wide. THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA, for instance, sprinkles comedic moments throughout an ostensibly grave scenario. One lesser-known detail is that Shaw, before turning to playwriting full-time, had a stint as a music critic. He was no stranger to dissecting art forms, often merging that analytical lens with his theatrical endeavours. When one realises how many hats Shaw wore—critic, essayist, orator, dramatist—his plays’ layered humour suddenly makes perfect sense: they’re the product of a mind that refused to stay in one box. That range might also explain why comedic relief is always present, even when the subject matter is serious. Life, Shaw seems to say, is never black or white, always a comedic swirl of contradictions.

After two decades of breathing life into works that some might dismiss as “old-fashioned” or “dated,” Gingold Theatrical Group continues to prove that Shaw’s worldview—his scepticism of authority and his fervour for social justice—remains powerfully current. THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA highlights that truth with incisive commentary on who gets to live and who must die when resources are limited. Throw in an ensemble brimming with comedic flair, and you have a recipe for an evening of both laughter and reflection.

So, perhaps you’ll find yourself at The Players Club on 17 March, leaning in with the rest of the audience, relishing every quip. You’ll see the cast delivering lines that sound as though they were written this morning, not in an era before modern healthcare. And that’s the beauty of PROJECT SHAW: the chance to feel that delightful spark of recognition—realising that great theatre transcends its time, and that we, the audience, are part of a living, breathing conversation bridging centuries. After all, Shaw’s deeper question still echoes: who is truly worthy of salvation, and is it up to us to decide? That’s a dilemma which, one suspects, will never fully be resolved—on stage or off.