THE KATRINA COMEDY FEST

The cast was good but the direction and the writing felt very heavy handed. Especially the videos at the beginning. It isn't really funny ever so don't expect a comedy. All in all I had an okay time but I don't see how this won Best Play in the New York festival. A base hit but not something I'd tell anyone to run to see. ... full review

It's not that I had forgotten what Katrina wrought, but these true personal stories brought to life by a stellar cast (Deidrie Henry, Travis Michael Holder, Judy Jean Berns, L. Trey Wilson, and Jan Munroe) come at you with all the force of renewed immediacy. By the way, no, it's not a comedy show, but there's certainly humor in the telling, so you can feel free to laugh in spite of the pain. This is a production of great simplicity that soars because of the power of the stories and the talent of all involved. Wonderful actors and much credit as well to the opening video that managed to be both deeply disturbing and then uplifting. ... full review

Funny, scary, thought-provoking. The stories of adversity and survival are truly remarkable. Hearing these true-life accounts of a disaster beyond imagination is something everyone should experience. The actors are extraordinary. And, yes ... it has a LOT of humor. Go, go, go!... full review

As documentary theater goes this piece is totally satisfying. As with all world-shaking events (9-11, Columbine, Katrina) we can only know what really happened by hearing stories--stories we don't get from TV which trivializes by its very nature, or the internet which doles out reality in burps and drabs. It takes live theater with excellent actors like those now playing in Katrina Comedy Fest (Deidrie Henry, Travis Michael Holder, Judy Jean Berns, L. Trey Wilson, and Jan Munroe,) to bring home the truth, the flavor, and the reality of what happened in New Orleans in August of 2005. Writer Rob Florence culled from hundreds of hours of actual interviews, stories that are neither helpless victim nor superhero tales, but rather stories that are... full review

I feel incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon "The Katrina Comedy Fest". I was just killing time between shows and walked up to the box office and asked which of the 2 shows playing at the Lounge had the smallest audience. . . Boy did I luck out! It tells of the events of Hurricane Katrina from the perspective of five New Orleans survivors. This was a well crafted and executed production. The show sported a wonderful cast of seasoned actors. The peformance had me laughing, crying and sympathizing with even the most unsympathetic of characters. Go see this show!... full review

Rob Florence enlarges on the view from the ground. His play offers an inspiring portrait of a community that came together to weather the storm with grace and laughter. To write “The Katrina Comedy Fest,” Florence wove real-life survivor accounts, a feat that I as a nonfiction writer applaud. When you’re working with true stories, the job of assembling the facts into one coherent, linear story is challenging. Florence accomplishes this with not one, but five individuals, creating a pastiche of characters whose combined experience pays homage to America’s most colorful, benevolent and often ignored city: New Orleans. “The Katrina Comedy Fest” opens presumably at the renown Mother-in-Law Lounge where the characters take up their individu... full review

Enjoyed this very much. A poignant reminder and beautifully done ensemble piece about a city that was abandoned. Some of the performances brought tears to our eyes. Great stuff.... full review

A collage of true stories told by survivors of Katrina and woven into a wonderful, funny and illuminating evening of theatre by the director Misty Carlisle. This 70 minute show is a sheer delight and beautifully acted. A strong recommendation. Not a polemic, not a series of sob stories, this show keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thanks.... full review

The simplest and truest form of storytelling. I loved this production. The actors were utterly convincing and kept everything simple, clean and connected. Brought back to me what I love most about N'awleans- the people and their big hearts. ... full review