What I liked
First and foremost, I just plain like Tanner! An accomplished painter, a funny comedian, and a charming person, he is the ideal performer to carry a solo show. At first I didn’t care as much for the alter-ego character, but as the show developed I understood Dr. Tanner’s necessity. The show sits in that beautiful tragicomic space where grief lies in wait and healing begins. The narrative of “hi, i’m tanner” is extremely strong, ultimately uplifting, and well-paced. Tanner courageously lets us into a moment in his life that no person should ever experience. The horror at the heart of the hilarity is heinous, and Tanner has chosen to transform the pain from that experience into healing, not just for himself and his family, but for everyone who sees the show. I highly recommend seeing it with people you love, because you’re going to want to hug someone afterward.
What I didn't like
The transitions between characters are very long, which sucks the momentum out of the piece every so often. The work is strong enough to survive that, but I feel like taking even one costume piece out of the rotation would really improve the pacing of the show.
My overall impression
A heartfelt, personal story of family, love, grief, violence, loss, and the healing power of art, delivered by one of the most charming people in the world!
