A dark comedy solo show about love, cancer & magic mushrooms
Written & performed by Gail Thomas
Directed by Dan Oliverio
As seen at
THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
ROGUE MACHINE - LA
THE TANK AND PANGEA - NYC
Tour Pitch Deck available on request.
🍄 I got rid of all the toxic people and there was no one left
🍄 I got rid of all the toxic people and there was no one left
Patient 13 is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Patient 13 must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
The Show
Chronically single, Gail Thomas has always been good at staying busy, setting boundaries and avoiding intimacy. That is, until a scary diagnosis makes her realize that she might just need to slow down, chill out, and get some help. But, who can she trust? “I got rid of all the toxic people and there was no one left.”
This true. dark comedy solo show tracks Gail’s quest to find the line between herself and others after a cancer diagnosis and her participation as patient #13 in a ground-breaking FDA study that gave psilocybin (magic mushrooms) to cancer patients with anxiety and depression. The study has blazed a trail for the potential legalization of the psychedelics for use as a medical treatment.
Gail has been interviewed by the New York Times, The New Yorker (Michael Pollan), Le Monde Magazine, Voices Mag, and CNN+, Psychologies, and beyond.
2025 Winner of LA Progressive and LA Hidden Gems Awards
Teaser Videos
One minute clip with reviews
Two minute. clips and interview
🍄 No one wants to date a bald girl
🍄 No one wants to date a bald girl
Reviews
Gail Thomas is a talented storyteller. She’s captivating, with facial expressions made for great comic delivery… It’s surprisingly funny for a show predominantly about cancer treatment, with a few genuinely laugh-out-loud moments
— The List UK
There’s something quite special about New Yorker Gail Thomas’s unusual tale, and her natural, unforced way with storytelling too…A fascinating and frank performer.
— The Scotsman
Gail is a master storyteller who keeps you enthralled and engaged from the very start. This personal tale is beautifully structured and written, so that you can truly imagine every scenario and every character that she encounters. A remarkable performance.
— The Real Chris Sparkle
“Patient 13 is infused with this warm, conversational quality, a down-home, honest, and lived in feel, genuinely friendly in a way that can feel revolutionary in Los Angeles....Gail Thomas is a born storyteller. More than that, she makes you feel like her best friend in seconds...This is a show that is not afraid of darkness, but for all its talk of death, depression, anxiety and medical nightmares, it has something quirky and uplifting about it, and the comedy really lands... It is always a pleasure to see a fresh, bold personal story that is, quite simply, about telling a true story.
One of the most exciting female solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe! An unusual story that ultimately becomes a surprisingly relatable exploration of love, loneliness and finding clarity in unexpected places.
— The Edinburgh Evening News
"Thomas is a natural storyteller, funny, candid and able to puncture frightening material with the absurd."
— The Edinburgh Guide
Thomas is a winning raconteur .. Charming autobiographical drama..Thomas’ perky and sardonic attitude to the medical profession is personable and entertaining
— Fest Mag
“I was in awe of Thomas’s ability to deliver the scipt: the excellent writing, the performing of it, the timing....It’s extremely funny and shocking too. We were all nodding at the parts of ourselves we recognized in Thomas, and the gratitude for this gift of her story burst forth from the crowd when she uttered her final words.”
“Gail Thomas is a poignant storyteller … constantly (although never frenetically) moving around the space, so that although this is a solo show, the production never becomes boring. Patient 13 is engagingly performed throughout. A moving ... always entertaining one-woman show that dares delve into taboo topics typically overlooked by romcoms. Artistically acted .”
“….Throughout, Thomas is magnetic and engaging in her intensity and candor…PATIENT 13 is a masterclass in storytelling, and how sometimes, a chair and a stage is all you need.”
“…Her performance in PATIENT 13 is a gripping roller coaster ride of emotions. As she skillfully recounts her story, I am in awe of her perseverance and impressed by her resilience. I was deeply moved witnessing her standing ovation, seeing the tears of joy streaming down her face… Go for the story and leave with Hope.”
“...this canny author manages to turn her fears and black thoughts into a very funny glimpse at just how ridiculous life can sometimes turn out...Gail Thomas does a fantastic job of telling her poignant story, all the while poking fun at her own actions and reactions... PATIENT 13 entertains while asking thought-provoking questions and memories which will linger long after the show is over.”
“I’ve interviewed a lot of people and Gail’s psychedelic trip report definitely stands out!”
— Michael Pollan, Author of How to Change Your Mind, The Omnivore’s Dilemma
Thomas’s narrative balances humor and pathos, making us reflect on our own lives and relationships. Her solo performance format amplifies the intimacy of the story, drawing us into the protagonist’s internal struggles and epiphanies. “Patient 13” not only entertains but also challenges societal norms about medical treatment and mental health, encouraging a reevaluation of how we perceive and address these issues.
— James Scarborough, What the Butler Saw, An LA Arts Magazine
🍄 Tripping Legally with FDA Approval
🍄 Tripping Legally with FDA Approval
Research Papers about Gail’s clinical Study
12):1165-1180. doi: 10.1177/0269881116675512. By Stephen Ross, Anthony Bossis, Jeffrey Guss, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Krystallia Kalliontzi + https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27909164/
June 14, 2017 Stephen Ross +
About Gail Thomas
I’m mission-driven, using my skills as a writer, lawyer, actor, filmmaker, storyteller, and storytelling coach, to help people connect, trust, love themselves.
I’m is a Moth SLAM winner, and have also performed at RISK!, Story Collider, The Crow, etc. Voiceover credits include John Cameron Mitchell’s Anthem: Homunculus, Angelo Rules, David Letterman, Beavis and Butthead, as well as video games, commercials and movies. Did a thing on Law &Order SVU. My home grown, short comedy, My BFF, won audience favorite at NYC New Filmmakers. I’ve written for smart, famous, lovely people.
I love helping people find and share their true personal stories as a storytelling coach for Practical Storytelling, and a freelance copywriter/editor, and speechwriter.
🍄 I've got cancer on my uterus, Wanna split some nachos?
🍄 I've got cancer on my uterus, Wanna split some nachos?
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