SEMMELWEISS by Howard Sackler
This is the tale of a cure and a crucifixion. Ignaz Philipp Semmelweiss (1818-65) was a pioneer in antisepsis. As a young doctor in the obstetrics wards of a Viennese hospital, Semmelweiss saw a dismaying number of women die in convulsive agony after giving birth. Because he dared to analyze the cause, Semmelweiss was hounded into madness by disbelieving colleagues and the inflexible Pooh-Bahs of European medicine. Despite a loving wife (Jeanne Koren) and sister (Mary Lou Rosato), he died as a historical martyr of truth.
This bio-documentary drama is presented by Stamford, Conn.'s Hartman Theater Company in...