Dirty Messy Love

solo performance · the adventures of les kurkendaal · Ages 10+ · United States

family friendly one person show
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GENTRY LANE certified reviewer June 08, 2014
tagged as: one man show · storytelling
I think bare-bones, one man shows are the most difficult to pull off, and this one was fabulous. The clever narrative arc, tight writing and pacing made the hour-long show seem like 15 minutes. And who doesn't love a well-told dysfunctional family drama?... full review
TARA NITZ uncertified reviewer June 08, 2014
Seeing a great story told by someone who has honed his craft and puts his soul into it, is the most personal art can be. Painter's don't always paint right before your eyes and you don't watch a great novel being typed, so when you see Les lay out his life in front of you, it is a special gift to go through his stories with his humor and hindsight. Though the stories Les tells are too absurd to be fiction, there is no perfect family, so the cocktail of confusion, love and bitterness has a familiar flavor, but with a few more twists than you might expect. By the end, you'll want to share a big pot of Seafood Gumbo with his real-life "characters" or thankfully call home to your own unique messy family. ... full review
JAMES CAREY certified reviewer June 23, 2014
Les can really tell a wonderful story. At the end I felt I knew his family, especially his dad. Both sad and sweet, very funny and at times tragic. What more could you ask from a play. To touch you, make you think, and make you laugh! A must go see!! ... full review
HEIDI HUEBNER certified reviewer June 09, 2014
Very funny!!Les did a great job. The story was sweet. He had great timimg. I give this show 2 thumbs up!!!... full review
DANIEL COHEN certified reviewer June 25, 2014
Les was just what I needed and more than I expected- Fast paced and creatively told story that perfectly captured each moment of his story-- every laugh was well worth the 75* room ! Thank you Fringe for event and thank you Les for a great show ! Daniel Cohen ... full review
GLENN GAYLORD certified reviewer June 29, 2014
DIRTY MESSY LOVE is another triumphant one-man-show from the prolific and talented Les Kuykendall. A sought-after mainstay on the international theatre festival circuit for years, Les never disappoints. His storytelling skills have the ability to draw you in with his casual conversation style yet remain artful at the same time. This is a rare gift. With great humor, DIRTY MESSY LOVE navigates nimbly across the mysteries of family relationships - sometimes hilarious, and sometimes surprisingly heartbreaking. You'll find yourself laughing one minute only to get suckerpunched the next with a dose of realness. Transitioning beautifully from past to present, Les' show is a big delicious onion wherein the layers keep getting peeled back unti... full review
TOM GULAGER certified reviewer June 30, 2014
Les Kurkendaal's Dirty Messy Love is a beautifully acted, meticulously constructed evening of theater. From the moment Les takes the stage, he never lets it go. Moving, funny and subtle, he conducts our emotions with loving, experienced confidence. I honestly cannot wait until this talented pro's next play. Hooray for Les!... full review
MARGARET KEMP uncertified reviewer June 19, 2014
Very funny, very honest and surprisingly sweet. This show takes you places that you didn't expect it to...This performance was off the charts wonderful. The writing was simple and to the point yet really showed the heart of all the many characters Les brought tot he stage. I saw his other show too and now I can't wait to see what happens next. ... full review
HANNAH LEVINE certified reviewer June 19, 2014
tagged as: gay · texas · onemanshow
Les' story is hilarious, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. Highly recommended!... full review
ANGELA SIEKMAN certified reviewer June 19, 2014
tagged as: funny · personal journey
Just experienced Les Kirkland performing his one man show at the Fringe Fest Los Angeles. He exposes his very personal family journey with poignancy and humor. As an audience,we can relate to his family dysfunction and longing for resolution. He reveals himself with honesty and keeps us laughing with familiarity. I highly recommend seeing where Les will take you as he comes out and then learns to heal through forgiveness.... full review