What I liked
Shar’s nervous energy is genuine and endearing; here’s a comedian who has turned an insecurity into a niche career. The artist is honest, vulnerable, and yeah, he’s funny too. The tech is tight, allowing the show to clip along. I’ve seen too many shows where the multimedia elements don’t cooperate with the real time performance but Shar already got the kinks out (sorry) before previews. The show is fun, the artist’s story uniquely his and concurrently universal.
What I didn't like
The show starts to lag at the three quarter mark and could do with some edits, notably in the ‘porno comedy reel’ section, which falls into the solo show trope of on-stage masturbation (metaphor, no sex acts performed on stage). Shar admits that he, and we all, are “horny for connection,” and the piece is strongest when he’s with us and not relying on his resume.
The sparse props that make up the set beg for practical use (Eg. does the lotion and the tissue get used to clean up a sloppy scoreboard line?) The scoreboard is brilliant, and deserves a bigger payoff (Why isn’t the marker truly out of reach? I want to experience that last triumphant mark in the present instead of a representation). A bit more bravery in the climax and less proving of pedigree will leave everyone more satisfied (ha!), and could turn a great show into an excellent one.
My overall impression
Clever marketing, flawless multimedia, and a pitch perfect soundtrack are all elements of Near Sex for Work that you probably won’t notice because Daniel Shar steals his own show.
