What I liked
Everything
What I didn't like
Nothing
My overall impression
I first met Charlene during a Fringe office hour, where an awkward question of mine—“Congrats, when are you due?”—became the perfect introduction to her show’s subject. Instead of embarrassment, she offered me a warm, steady smile and explained that her piece was precisely about these moments.
If not for that encounter, I might have missed this extraordinary performance. I’ll admit, I often feel uneasy watching deeply personal stories unfold onstage, worried that I’m observing someone’s pain like a spectacle. But Charlene’s presence dissolved that discomfort.
For an hour, she radiated a serenity that felt almost transcendent. With her precise diction and luminous humor, she transformed what could have been a tragic account into something healing and empowering. Her story never asked for pity—it offered understanding.
When she picked up her guitar and began to sing, her voice cut through my layers of self-consciousness and left me unexpectedly moved. As the last note faded, I found myself rising to my feet in applause—driven by something deeper than admiration, closer to gratitude.
I have never experienced a solo show like this. Congratulations to Charlene for creating a true masterpiece.
