NEW YORK—The term “Placebo” has multiple definitions. “To please someone” is the definition offered in Melissa James Gibson’s play of the same name. However, the term also means “something that has no therapeutic effect” and unfortunately, it is this definition that best applies to the production now at Playwrights Horizons.
Louise (Carrie Coon) is a doctoral student working with a medical team on the human trial stage of a new female arousal drug. Neither Louise nor the test subjects know who is actually getting the drug or who is simply receiving a placebo.
The playwright seems to be making a point about the importance of mutual understanding and respect in any relationship.
