What I liked
Adorable vaudevillian banter between Laural and her pianist. It’s clear that a lot of work has gone into the show – both in researching and creating it, but also in polishing it to where it feels really slick and pro. The emotional arc of the show was powerful – it’s all fun and games and sex until one moment she’s singing “the man I love” and you’re bawling your eyes out! Laural gets incredibly vulnerable about her own life experiences, which I found extremely relatable and really drew me in.
What I didn't like
No notes!
My overall impression
There is so much heart in this show. Laural is in complete command on stage and the audience is loving every minute, laughing and crying and doing the shimmy! You get the history of Sophie Tucker and the era, lovingly rendered, but you also get so much of Laural herself. Through Ms. Tuckers life and her own, Laural explores themes of loneliness, the search for love, making your own way and finding meaning. A must-see at this year’s festival.
