no better man

An engaging trip into the great Northwest. Jacob fills the evening, educating and entertaining us with the story of a life well lived. ... full review

Very cool way to learn history! Felt like watching a really interesting live documentary on Doc Maynard, the man who founded Seattle, with great interactive elements and comedy. I enjoyed learning about the history of the area and how it relates to present day. Enjoyable and informative, excellent performance by Jacob! ... full review

No Better Man was the history lesson you didn't know you needed. Jacob Sidney has written the most delightful overview of the settlement of Washington State, Puget Sound and Seattle. The clever tale starring Doc Maynard brings us a teachable moment utterly relatable in today's turbulent times. Sidney is charming, engaging, and thoughtful in the telling of a pioneer tale so familiar and personal you'll laugh and wince at the same time. ... full review

No Better Man is a sharp, smart show marvelously presented by a wonderful actor. Saying that someone "commands the stage" is a cliché but that's exactly what Jacob Sidney does. It's a very strong performance coupled with an ease of manner that makes the story completely engaging. ... full review

great evening of theater. insightful, thought provoking , complex. very entertaining. hugs & kisses-jj ... full review

Jacob has taken his enthusiasm and deep study of this subject, the founding of his home-town of Seattle, and fashioned an absolutely fascinating hour-long presentation mixing narration, characters, screen projections and even a bit of audience participation. Themes dealt with include the rigors of transcontinental travel (dangerous and deadly), sexual morés in the newly settled Pacific northwest, and the early and still ongoing mistreatment of indigenous people by the newcomers. But this little summary does not do justice to the level of detail and color Jacob brings to the story and you are in very good hands, well-entertained the entire time as he moves the narrative forward right up today's street names. ... full review

Why couldn't history classes have been more like this? "No Better Man" tells a far more comprehensive (and honest) history lesson than most textbooks teach, anchored by the gently compelling presence of Jacob Sidney. Gliding through events with the aid of top-notch projections and sound design, "No Better Man" engages you, challenges you, and ultimately teaches you.... full review

A must-see show. "No Better Man" is a remarkable medley of whip smart dialogue, delightful humor, creative tech, and an impressive breadth of a story, told by Jacob Sidney in a concise, compelling, and very entertaining way. Overall, it's edifying, entertaining, comedic, poignant, and fantastically acted/written/directed/produced all at once by someone with staggering stage presence. Definitely go see it, even (maybe especially?) if you have no connection or pre-existing in the subject, because you absolutely will come away with a new and fascinating perspective! ... full review

A fun and interesting hour of solo theater and history recounting the life and times of the charismatic man in the middle of Seattle's founding. It's a frank and honest account of the politics and brutality of the American colonial project that's not afraid to connect the dots between how it began and how it resonates today. It's also frequently very funny in its depiction. Jacob Sidney has made a wonderful experience that should not be missed.... full review

Jacob is so easy to watch and listen to. He has such a presence on stage.... full review