BEYOND - Schachner Vs. Schachner

Abby is f*cking awesome. This is my idea of everything a good solo show should be: deeply personal, a little unhinged, unapologetic, full of energy, well-crafted, and with a vital purpose for telling the story. If you're not gonna put it all out there, why do it?! I love that the aesthetic of the show mirrors what seems to be Abby's personal and intellectual aesthetic: imperfect, unpolished (intentionally crafted so), and scattered, but with the ability to settle into a grounded place of truth that - literally - packs a punch. As an audience member, I felt like the best friend rooting on a teetering fighter (mind you, I just met Abby during Fringe...but she has an openness that allows for immediate connection, which is refreshing). Her ... full review

SEE THIS SHOW!! Abby Schachner is fantastic! This is not your average exploration of family drama... unless your family's doings made headlines. Diving into and exploring the love, confusion and struggle of highly turbulent familial waters, weighted happenings are conveyed with a levity that never feels heavy, but simply honest, and with great energy, creativity, humor. Highly entertaining! Brave, funny and unique, Abby Schachner is one to watch. Catch her while you can! ... full review

Shachner vs Shachner is a great live theatre experience. Abby kills it. ... full review

The tech guy did not show up. She lost all her sound, lights, and slides. She went on anyway and just killed the show. WOW! Energy, anger, passion, more energy as she bounced from one topic to another. An excellent and interesting story of how her life was affected by an awful incident between her parents that scared her for life - and how she is trying to get beyond it. Funny, chaotic, painful, and engaging. GO SEE THIS ONE! ... full review

Beautiful, inspiring, funny, heartbreaking not to mention brilliant and hilarious. Abby never ceases to amaze and top herself once again. This show rocks the house. She is a dynamic and talented performer and I can't wait to see this show again. You don't want to miss this brave adventure. Abby knocks this one out of the park. The winner!!!!... full review

What an amazing show! A riveting, touching, hilarious, intense, and extremely entertainingly told story of family warfare. I can't stop thinking about it! Abby grabs you and doesn't let go. She still hasn't let go - a day later! ... full review

Painfully funny. Abby is a singular performer. She shares with us an horrific childhood that's profoundly compelling, with an outrageous comic insight. She does so with the casual ease and wit of an adult who has come to grips with it yet the best part of the show is the awareness of things left unresolved. It's not just funny ha ha but funny aha! What a great writer/performer this Schachner kid is, a true heavyweight contender!... full review

Abby Schachner is a force of nature. I've seen several of her solo shows over the years and they are always powerful, funny, weird and very entertaining. She has mined some particularly dramatic material from her youth for this show, so this one is especially memorable. On the night I saw it, a computer failed and she had neither the sound cues nor projections that were supposed to enhance her tale, but that didn't keep it from being a terrifically entertaining piece. ... full review

Abby Schachner transforms her bizarre family story, including an attempted murder, into something even more fascinating with her witty comical treatment. Despite the shocking subject matter she presents a sympathetic look at her family, painting a compelling story using childhood memories, (newly found!) photos, and the comfort of dog food! She keeps you riveted throughout, even in between “rounds” with unlimited charm. Don’t miss fearless, fantastic Abby! ... full review

Sweet and transparent, Abby is cornered on both ends of the ring, attempting to "fight" her many demons in this raw and emotional dark comedy. Each "round" unearths shocking, disturbing and unexpected layers of her childhood. As she leaves little solace about her future, I was left bewildered about what has been silenced forever. Expect to be drawn in by Abby's wit, charm and beauty. Her writing is brilliantly displayed through her brave performance and highlights her gifted comedic-timing and delivery with every twisted blow and knock-out. She is quick-witted and every jaded detail carries great intrigue. You won't want to miss this. ... full review