Dementia Man

Samuel Simon’s story becomes ours after encountering the unmasked and untainted side of dementia in his performance of Dementia Man. The delivery of this piece is authentic, passionate, and forces you to smile and laugh with his witty anecdotes. As he confronts the reality of his personal suffering, there is an undeniable connection felt around the room. He describes his journey in a way that pulls your heart in without need for apology. It feels almost conversational the way he would sometimes break from script and clarify his story or characters. I didn’t know what to expect, but it truly was a moving experience from beginning to the end.

When an actor stands up on stage with the level of genuineness Sam brings, it compels you into their world. All minds want to become involved as Sam performs as himself with script in hand. He simultaneously reels us into his past by recreating familiar characters and it's comfortable to be in his presence. His thoughts are clearly translated through his clever word play and careful deliberation.

His mission is evident: he desperately wants to take us into his mind, so he takes us into “The Nothingness Place” and guides us through the feat. His process of story-telling includes many physical and verbal metaphors that support his mission. Sam moves in harmony with his script and takes up the space effortlessly. He inhabits the stage with full intent of himself being the main focus, utilizing the prop and set pieces only when needed. It becomes an immersive experience as you listen and learn of Sam’s timeline of not only the experience of dementia but his life leading up to it.

In a world greatly in need of understanding, Sam reminds us that stories are the outlet to be told with bravery and genuine feeling. Dementia Man is a play, but also a central reminder emphasizing the importance of what it takes to live through this kind of disease, and how it affects the lives surrounding it. Each second of this performance, I kept thinking, “I wish everyone were here to see this. Samuel Simon’s Dementia Man reminds us of the impact art has when it is extracted from emotion and sewn with experience.

Dementia Man

Starring: Samuel Simon

Performed on October 22nd, 2026

at The 21st Annual United Solo Theatre Festival

October 19 – November 22, 2026

Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, NYC)

Reviewer: Jenna Perry