What I liked
The premise alone is a hilarious foil of my own life. I, another Emily, have had a volatile lifelong relationship with vomit and fun. However, opposite of Markoe, my problem is not that I’m afraid of it, but that I am afflicted by it, often, and especially when I have too much fun. Which Emily explicitly warns in the show, NOT to do. Just that very day – “hit my fun limit” from Fringe burn-out. (And my best friend shared that information with her.) Thus truly heightening the stakes of the performance. Because as you will quickly learn, Emily’s preference would be no vomit, at all, especially not in the last 12 hours. Puke aside, that’s not even what the show is about, EW!
What I didn't like
N/A
My overall impression
Emily is hilarious and captivating in this aesthetically adorable, and cognitively rich solo show. It’s cute, clever, deep, and intriguing. The production design is beyond delightful. Every single piece of pink and purple, however relevant or absurd they might be. Markoe invites the audience into a captivating mash-up of play time & time capsule, as she journeys through the memories preserved in her reimagining of her childhood bedroom complete with conversations with her equestrian action figure therapist. She’s wonderfully expressive and charismatic as she vacillates through the many vignettes that compose the show. Great sound design and costuming as well. It’s everything from silly to serious. Wholly intriguing, with a sprinkle of existential inquiry, without the mental fatigue that usually accompanies this type of work. A lovely piece of theatre by a skilled performer. People love to reference this guy anytime something is a little avant-garde, but it felt like the type of thing I imagine David Lynch would have made if he were a woman. A truly creative way of storytelling and exploring her personal lens that delighted and inspired me.
