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Rise of a King

Solo Theatre · Vico Ortiz · Ages 18+ · United States of America

Content Warning One Person Show
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rise of a king

Review by ANGE HARDENBURG

June 28, 2025 certified reviewer
tagged as: Gender Expression · drag · lgbtq · solo show

What I liked

There were numerous moments during the performance where I felt the words resonate deeply, nodding along, and I realized I wasn’t alone; the entire crowd was captivated by Vico’s every word and action, oftentimes responding volcally.

I was particularly impressed by the presence of an ASL interpreter who also seemed to know Spanish, demonstrating a level of thoughtfulness towards the audience that is often lacking in performances.

What I didn't like

While I wouldn’t describe the piece as perfectly polished, I believe this was intentional, as one of its central themes revolves around the struggle with perfection. A beautiful quote from the Q&A after the show, “It’s not Human doing, it’s Human Being,” perfectly encapsulates this idea. The performance invited the audience along for the ride, embracing the unpredictability of the experience, which was a true delight.

My overall impression

Vico is an absolute delight to watch on stage, bringing an incredible blend of energy and vulnerability to their performance! This piece serves as a powerful encapsulation of their gender journey, highly personal yet universally relatable. Their writing is a masterful mix of humor and heartfelt emotion, making it both funny and poignant.

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rise of a king