It's A Beautiful Wound

written & performed by Rich Orloff

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND is the true story of Rich’s adventures in underground therapy using MDMA (a.k.a. Ecstasy) and psilocybin mushrooms. These sessions, based on cutting-edge experiments to help people heal from deep psychological wounds, propel Rich beyond his ego and defenses into a journey that both challenges his perceptions and reveals possibilities he never before considered.

Inspired by the autobiographical monologues of Spalding Gray, IT’S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND takes the audience through the experience of psychedelic-assisted therapy in an honest, amusing, and compelling way.

But the show is about more than just psychedelics.  IT’S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND is about one person’s journey towards reconciliation with the soul.

“A mesmerizing tale that is simultaneously humorous and emotionally devastating, performed with brutal honesty and bravery.”
– Bill Taylor, Artistic Director, Theatre Conspiracy, Fort Myers FL

“Very moving and wonderfully uplifting.  IT’S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND gave me my favorite experience, which is laughter through tears.  I love that people will learn about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in this entertaining and provocative way.”
– Julie Holland, MD, editor of Ecstasy: The Complete Guide

“You know it’s a compelling evening of theater when, as the audience is exiting after the show, they’re still discussing the impact of what they’ve seen and felt. That’s how our audience responded.”
– Bill Lelbach, Artistic Director, Chenango River Theatre, Greene NY

“A remarkable and deeply moving portrayal of psychedelic therapy and its potential for profound healing.”
– Ingmar Gorman. PhD, Co-Clinical Investigator, MAPS MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Study

“Honest, vulnerable and humorous.  This is the essence of theater.”
– Robert Kolby Harper, New Works Director, Phoenix Theatre Company

“A visceral ride of insight, laughter, emotions and reflection that left me with an afterglow of compassion about being human.”
– Colin Pugh, President, The Brooklyn Psychedelic Society

“Engaging, funny, and relatable in ways I didn’t anticipate. Truly, the play was a wonderful sharing of the journey in healing through psychedelics.”
– Kwasi Adusei, founder, Psychedelic Society of Western New York

“A superb play that presents the real human struggles most of us face in a gripping and entertaining way.”
– Rabbi Neal Kaunfer

performance

Rich has performed the 80-minute play around the country, both for theaters (New Circle Theatre Company in NYC, Writers Theatre of New Jersey, Phoenix Festival of New Plays, and more) and other groups (Brooklyn Psychedelic Society, Arizona Psychedelics Conference, the Center for Optimal Living, and more).   The video below is Rich’s performance at The Aware Project in Santa Monica on January 14, 2020.