Shari Barrett (she/her)

Lisa Pezik is dedicated to getting the message out about mental health is a necessary component for just about everyone, especially those of us with parents who belittled us, often making us take inappropriate actions to survive the abuse and shame for not being perfect. Her lifelong struggle for self-acceptance, told by the character Luna, is a universal journey, told through monologues and original songs, co-created with her accompanist Drew Lawrence on keyboard.... full review

Certainly almost everyone must know something about Elizabeth Taylor, either for her beauty, childhood to adult movie star roles, her many marriages and children, extravagant lifestyle, love of expensive jewels, and ultimately her stand on fighting HIV/AIDS. But Kayla Boye takes us inside the woman who lived through it all and had a wonderful time enjoying herself, especially when a bottle of champagne was involved. I know I learned more about Elizabeth, including she hated to be called Liz, tha... full review

This is a perfect musical for Pride Month in which Steve Trzaska takes you along on his journey to self-acceptance not only for his red hair but also his sexual orientation, much to the chagrin of his parents. Morphing from a redheaded kid who gets bullied to several of the campers and counselors at Club Ginger where everyone is a redhead, including the drag queen Arts and Crafts counselor, Steve always keeps his audience entertained from moment-to-moment, even when the conversation turns to seri... full review

By walking with a cane, putting on a pair of glasses, relaxing in a cot, pining up her hair, wringing her hands, or excessively exercising, Akika Ramlo totally morphs into the patients inside the Gibbs Behavioral Health Center she is sharing with the audience. I guarantee you will feel you know them when you leave the theater, and perhaps gain a greater understanding of what it means to be on suicide watch if you allow grief to run your life... full review

Sigute Miller shares her personal journey of recovery from her days as a youthful party girl through her many dark days as an adult alcoholic, often throwing caution to the wind and driving drunk with her young daughter in the car. Sharing aspects of her life through photos projected on the back wall, most often of the brother she lost at a much too young age (to whom she dedicated the show), Sigute ends each scene by calling out "blackout" which plunges her into darkness - the same type of black... full review

Outstanding and very entertaining duo of dancer and musician.... full review

The intimate setting was a perfect location for this timely re-visit to the social satire created by Tom Lehrer during the Cold War years of my childhood when "duck and cover" drop drills were part of our everyday lives. While laughing along with the audience from start to finish, I also learned about Lehrer's other talents, including being a Mathematics professor, a career he longed to return to for its predictability and stability as opposed to the uncertain aspects of his life as a standup co... full review

A provocative show about what makes something sweet or profane in our lives - how the goodness of love and sweetness of sugar may be evident in candy but not in real life as people don't know how to treat each other with love. Sugar's comment that working as a strip club dancer allowed her to examine men in a laboratory of human hearts. Quite eye-opening.... full review

Tanya Thomas is totally and astoundingly brilliant in her solo show about her multicultural upbringing and ongoing life, from the easiest to the most emotionally difficult of situations she describes as the "Freakshow" of her life. As she morphs between more characters than I could count, each one a complete and fascinating character study, Tanya allowed her self-assured persona to shine through, always secure in her stage presence and keeping the audience enchanted from start to finish in this ... full review

The style of this live performance from Kenya, half a world away and the largest economy in East Africa prior to the pandemic, reminded me of "The Art of Facing Fear" in that listening to the actors talk about how their lives have changed during the pandemic, especially how it closed down theatre, which certainly made me feel at one with with them. I too have experienced longing to be with my friends, having fun, being able to get together without wearing masks, and not worrying that no matter ho... full review