Miracle at Bellevue

Psychiatrist Rubin (Lisa and David) recasts the biblical tale of salvation and redemption in the microcosm of New York City, with street characters familiar to its denizens. A bag lady and a discharged mental patient, a latter-day Mary and Jesus combination whose antics in the city streets win them admission to Bellevue, turn the tables on their would-be therapists. Mary explores the catacomb-like tunnels of the hospital, meeting and succoring patients of all classes; Jesus (aka Harry Byrd) helps liberate the day room people from the thrall of Thorazine. As the apparently delusional duo work their miracles, they astound the hospital staff, forcing them to face phenomena for which the scientific lexicon is meager. Rubin's laconic prose provokes boredom, and his inspirational message, fragmented and episodic, is not credible, even for fantasy. (September 22)