Well-dressed parents and friends entered the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, a somber atmosphere apt for an orchestra performance or Shakespeare performance. Biorhythms was nothing of the sort.
From the opening “Phlomax” to the sexually charged “Mance” performance at the end, the entirety of the show was full of energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. Unlike many companion pamphlets, the ones provided at this show had lyrics and descriptions that allowed the audience to follow allow with medical school-themed manipulations.
An altered rendition of OutKast’s “Ms. Jackson” begins “I’m sorry Ms. Rosen. I’m an M1. Never learned a single histo slide,” and in another instance the lyrics to Kanye West’s “All of the Lights” became “Cre-Lox. Post-docs. Primer stocks. Chalk Talks…”
As science major and possible pre-med student, I enjoyed the clever medical adaptations, as well as the plethora of creativity. One can only imagine the rigors of medical school without actually being in medical school, and consequently much of the show felt like an elaborate stress relief via performance. We watched Brazilian Samba, a Bollywood dance-off, flag dancing, a capella, and even an acoustic performer (Vince Pallazola).
Despite the diversity and talent throughout the show, there was a highly sexual aspect that detracted from its artistic merit. For every talented soloist, there was a group of young, half-naked bodies gyrating on the stage. At the risk of sounding like your conservative neighbor down the street, it was an awkward juxtaposition at times. Furthermore, since these were medical students putting on a show twice a year, the show had an overall feeling of a high school musical. The audience was dominated by friends and family, and most acts had a practiced but unpolished tone.
Overall, biorhythms was well worth the time. On a Sunday with not much else to do except study, the show was a welcome and entertaining distraction, and well worth seeing in the spring.
