I wound up in this show against my will and wound up loving it. It had great acting and great writing. It was an emotional rollercoaster. It's theme was sorta about how men are taught to never feel or express emotions and the damage that can cause. It had six mini-plays each with a different character but same actor. Some were happy and some were sad. My favorites were the one with the Vietnam wall, the mentally handicapped guy in McDonalds, and the guy at his parents grave. There is also a kick ass soundtrack in this show. The songs ranged from Arlo Guthrie to David Bowie and were the perfect ending to each one.
My husband and I saw this show last night after having it recommended by two Fringe volunteers, and we loved every minute of it. It was cowritten by the actor, Larry Haworth, and the director, Amy Pettinella. We have seen two other shows by Pettinella, and while this one is different from her usual drama/comedies, it is very effective: at times funny and at times heartbreaking, and above all surprisingly simple. This was a perfect blackbox theater performance: engaging and thought provoking. The scene with Vietnam wall was especially heartbreaking as a man comes to terms with his own cowardice. The scene where the character visits the grave of his mother and father was intense as the character tried to balance his cold religious upbringing of his father with genuine warmth and affection for his mother. In between the dark or heavy scenes were three light and hopeful scenes, one involving a grandfather--the grandfather we all wish we had growing up. And as the above comment states: it really does have a perfect soundtrack, especially the Simon and Garfunkel song "Bookends." I went home after the play and played the entire album. "Two thumbs up, way up!"
I wound up in this show against my will and wound up loving it. It had great acting and great writing. It was an emotional rollercoaster. It's theme was sorta about how men are taught to never feel or express emotions and the damage that can cause. It had six mini-plays each with a different character but same actor. Some were happy and some were sad. My favorites were the one with the Vietnam wall, the mentally handicapped guy in McDonalds, and the guy at his parents grave. There is also a kick ass soundtrack in this show. The songs ranged from Arlo Guthrie to David Bowie and were the perfect ending to each one.
ReplyDeleteGreat show! Wonderfully written and performed! You should make time to see it!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I saw this show last night after having it recommended by two Fringe volunteers, and we loved every minute of it. It was cowritten by the actor, Larry Haworth, and the director, Amy Pettinella. We have seen two other shows by Pettinella, and while this one is different from her usual drama/comedies, it is very effective: at times funny and at times heartbreaking, and above all surprisingly simple. This was a perfect blackbox theater performance: engaging and thought provoking. The scene with Vietnam wall was especially heartbreaking as a man comes to terms with his own cowardice. The scene where the character visits the grave of his mother and father was intense as the character tried to balance his cold religious upbringing of his father with genuine warmth and affection for his mother. In between the dark or heavy scenes were three light and hopeful scenes, one involving a grandfather--the grandfather we all wish we had growing up. And as the above comment states: it really does have a perfect soundtrack, especially the Simon and Garfunkel song "Bookends." I went home after the play and played the entire album. "Two thumbs up, way up!"
ReplyDeleteheartwarming & funny! glad i got a chance to see it!
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