“The Ills We Have” is a new musical by Dan Cragan, based on his own true story. It is a story of having the courage to believe in one’s self in the face of opposing authority. Dan, the main character, faces a sudden medical crisis when his kidneys fail due to diabetes. His anguish over this is shown in a heartfelt song, “Normal Man.” His doctors and other medical staff show their indifference in a catchy tune, “A little Leukemia" On his own, Dan discovers a new treatment, the kidney/pancreas double transplant, which could render him nearly 100% healthy, but his doctors reject the idea, saying it is too experimental and accuse him of wanting a “Fountain of Youth.” Undeterred, Dan consults other doctors and medical centers, searching for someone who will help him get this new treatment. He ultimately contacts the surgeon who developed the procedure, who is so agreeable that Dan feels like he is on a game show, “What’s My Transplant?” Dan has the surgery, and with his own positive attitude, nurtures himself back to health, despite the others’ dire predictions. The show ends with the uplifting song, “A New Lease On Life.” Though it deals with a serious subject, the show is filled with humor, with songs ranging from gut-wrenchingly tragic to hilarious as it pokes fun at the prejudices, and sometimes outright incompetencies, of the medical establishment.