Cookie & The Monster

This play unfolds like a fable, or a medieval morality play, with a completely believable "Monster" (played with gusto and sensitivity by Scott Leggett), in residence inside a small child, "Cookie" (writer, Jaime Andrews). Because we immediately accept this Monster, we come to identify with Cookie as she grows up under his spell and develops ever increasing tendencies toward self-destruction. The ensemble (Sunah Blisted, Curt Bonnem, Perry Daniel, Peter Fluet, K.J. MIddlebrooks, Erin Parks and Guy Picot) skillfully plays all the family and friends throughout Cookie's childhood. What surprised me about this production, given the dark nature of the path down which Cookie travels, was that after initially being perplexed about where the play c... full review

I had the great privilege of seeing the preview of “Cookie and the Monster” last night at Theater of Note as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. The show is a work of profoundly personal sharing and vulnerable storytelling from star and lead writer Jaime Andrews. Although a piece of this nature could easily feel like a vanity project or little else beyond a personal catharsis, Andrews’ writing and performance elevate the piece to being a genuinely engrossing and captivating work of art. Although much of Andrews’ recent stage work has veered more toward broad comedy, here she displays an earnest sensitivity that makes for a uniquely moving performance around which to craft her show. While I was worried from the outset as to wh... full review

Wonderful show! Poignant, powerful and right on. I don't know how any of us survived childhood and adolescence, but Cookie and the Monster shows is we were none of us alone. We all had our monsters, and we always have ourselves. Bonus: Depeche Mode references and choreographed blow jobs. Go see this show!... full review

This show is a ferociously entertaining trip through the mind and life of lovable Cookie (played by lovable Jaime Andrews) and her raw, sarcastic and twisted monster (Scott Leggett) who is equal parts humorous and convincingly dark. Through the playful direction of JJ Mayes, the talented and versatile ensemble seamlessly transforms from Cookie's childhood friends and family to angst-ridden teens as the laughter grows deeper and darker. Choreographer Amir Levy finds the beauty and dance in ugly situations, which is joyously appropriate for such a dark comedy. This show is entertaining from the very beginning, but I found myself suddenly very moved by the relationship between Cookie and her monster and the depths to which I was taken. This is ... full review

You really should make an effort to see this show! I found myself laughing and laughing to suddenly finding that my eyes were welling up with tears! Jaime is incredibly lovable as Cookie and powerfully vulnerable at just the right moments! The Monster is extremely funny and then you'll find yourself hating him. I was wrapped up in Cookie's journey, all the ups and downs of growing up, all the highs and lows of wanting to be accepted, and full of sadness yet hopeful for Cookie to be released from her Monster. This was a very poignant and relatable story! I commend Jaime for her bravery and vulnerability. You don't want to miss this!... full review

A sometime funny and sometimes heartbreaking modern tale of a struggle that will be familiar to many audience members. Clever and witty, very well acted and directed.... full review

A Great Show! Very funny and entertaining! Jamie Andrews is terrific as "Cookie" and Scott Leggett plays the "Monster" to the hilt! The entire cast is fantastic, too! Captures many of the problems involved in growing up in a dysfunctional family and environment, and the difficulties of navigating those awkward and challenging high school years. And it does so with great wit and humor! And with a little - okay, a lot of - edginess too! Who knows? You might even learn a thing or two about dealing with your own inner "monster." Highly recommend!... full review

Everybody has a monster. You can't get rid of it, you just have to learn how to deal with it. That's the crux of Jaime Andrews's semi-autobiographical tale of growing up as a ne'er-do-well suburban youth alongside her cheeky but sinister Monster. Andrews, who penned the script, shines as Cookie, a role she was literally born to play, masterfully making the switch from young child to teenager, playing comic foil to her own inner demon. And Scott Leggett as the Monster manages to pull off a great deal of empathy for his anti-sidekick, sometimes as a deviant scamp, sometimes as a brutal source of self-destruction, collecting mementos from all of Cookie's ill-gotten childhood victories. Andrews and Leggett have excellent chemistry and f... full review

Dark, troubling, and very very funny! Everyone in this cast is SO GOOD. See it!... full review

SO GOOD! I laughed. I cried. I fully enjoyed every moment. The writing is smart, funny and absolutely riveting. Cookie and her Monster made the perfect duo, and were well supported with a stellar ensemble cast. Well done!... full review