What I liked
RM Aranda is a skilled performer whose clowning is excellent. The light-up hoops were great props and Aranda enchanted the audience from the beginning. They bridge the sci-fi worldbuilding gap with grace and elegance—-the exposition feels more like getting to know a new friend than any kind of info dump. The best clown shows make the audience feel connected with each other and with the clown, and using the hoop to gather up subconscious thoughts was a wonderful way to facilitate this.
I also want to shout out Aranda’s flexibility. This was an earlier show, with a child in the audience below the show’s recommended age. Aranda did beautiful work pivoting the content of their show to suit the child’s sensibilities and ensured the kid felt included. The best clowns adapt to their audience, and Aranda displayed their chops very admirably. References to the space we were in and its lack of AC were also pretty great.
In a time when tensions are high and communication is shattered and scattered, it was great to meet an alien who smoothed all of that over.
What I didn't like
I think that the script can be more solidified when it comes to the alien’s mission and the overall arc of the show, but I’m also aware that the production was being adjusted in real-time to account for the younger audience member. I would definitely love to see where Aranda decides to take this show next!
My overall impression
A joyful celebration of what it means to be human and what it means to be alive! Definitely helps fill some of the holes in one’s life.
