BEYOND - Schachner Vs. Schachner

Funny and sad, hilarious and heartbreaking. Abby is a force of nature bringing every ounce of herself to this performance. Hugely enjoyable while extremely moving as well, she has done a phenomenal job sifting through her past in search of the truth. It's fearless in all the very best ways. ... full review

This story blows your mind and Abby's stage presence is so strong and honest. Her storytelling is so unique and she is so connected - you fall in love with her before she even gets in the ring. It's really fun to be in the audience for this show. I love that it is both goofy and also deeply moving. It's such a gem! This is what the fringe is all about!... full review

(The hard part of this review will be to not reveal anything from the show itself as it NEEDS to be seen.) This was a fantastic performance with a nail-biting story told by the quirky, instantly-likable one woman show, Abby Schachner. Within the first 20 seconds she had me hook, line and sinker for the story is one of those "ripped from the headlines" kinda story, but whoa: nothing like you would EVER expect! Abby owned her performance the second she began but because of her extremely humble nature she will be the first one to deny it. She displayed conviction in every part of her show. The comedic elements were naturally funny stories told with an earnestness and "flashback" scenes certainly put the viewer back in the time frame, adding ... full review

I've known Abby for a little over a year but didn't really KNOW her until this show. Her story of battling against the demons of the past is unique, circumstantially, but also universal in the kinds of struggles we all face -- especially those of us who've chosen creative careers. Abby is a force. Lean, mean, exuberant, human. Her stories evoke laughter and terror but also a sort of hope that even the most twisted of histories can produce something positive and creative and good. The theater at once provided the kind of intimacy that's intrinsic to the success of such a personal story but at the same time seemed too small to contain the energy Abby was exuding at a breakneck pace. By the end, you'll want to take a breath and give her... full review

Abby Schachner is a compelling performer. Funny, sweet, and yes, a little dangerous. She is not afraid to expose the dark side of her past. A show to see. ... full review

abby!!! I cannot stop thinking about your show!!! I was totally affected!!! what a story!!! I laughed and cried and shuddered and rooted for you!! me and the whole audience were with you every step of the way!!! you are a beautiful, hilarious, BEYOND TALENTED warrior... and I can't wait to see the show again!!! GREAT JOB and CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... full review

I'm so happy I went to this show! I've known Abby for a few years now and I knew how funny and interesting she was in person, but was FLOORED by how funny and interesting her one-woman show was! A must see!... full review

Loved it. Truth is stranger then fiction and Abby was open, funny and told a story that kept everyone riveted until the end. So good! So Brave! A must see.... full review

In short, I loved this show. She has an incredible story to tell and she tells it in such a moving, funny and compelling way. I was drawn in from the moment she started and she never lost my attention once. I would recommend this show to everyone I know. It is one of the best one-person shows I have ever seen and I just want to thank her for sharing her story with us.... full review

I’m normally not a big fan of one person shows. Most of them are just self-indulgent pity parties in which an actor whines onstage for an hour about how terrible their life is, seeking validation from the audience. So it was with some reluctance that I allowed a friend to talk me into seeing “Schachner vs. Schachner” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. I went in expecting the usual, but was almost immediately and very pleasantly surprised to realize that Abby Schachner’s tight, fast-paced forty minute solo outing avoids all of the usual pitfalls of the form. This isn’t a one person “show.” This is a real play that happens to have a cast of one. (One and a half if you count a moment or two of improv interaction with a voice from the booth.) ... full review