Booze, Balls and Bluegrass: A Daughter's Journey

Laura Carson is an honest, sincere and effortlessly engaging performer whose one-person show wafts over you like the familiar scent of the countryside...tainted with the tang of rot-gut whiskey. An account of a recent cross-roads moment in her life when she left the addicting, but often painful life of the Los Angeles acting world for a return to her southern homeland to assist her irascible, soon-too-be ailing widowed father, Laura paints a motion picture of images and sounds(the sound design is brilliant by the way) alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, sometimes at the same time. Ms. Carson channels the mature, late-70s Carol Burnett at times, indeed I was often reminded of the "Mama's Family" sketches, particularly the ones whe... full review

Just sit back and go for the ride. Laura's openness, honesty, and willingness to share her story is a gift for the audience. She avoids the trap of self indulgence and, instead, presents the facts of her story in a colorfully moving and humorous way. She flows effortlessly from character to character and exudes a playful and joyous presence throughout the show. See it.... full review

What a wonderful piece! There is a generosity in Laura Carson's performance which is infectious, transporting and entrancing. Her ability to walk the tightrope of comedy and poignancy is masterful. Beautifully written, exquisitely performed, and compelling honesty in form and content. A genuine, genuine MUST SEE!!!!... full review

Laura knocks it out of the park in this well paced funny and heartbreaking personal story. You will laugh with her and cry with her. She is completely at ease in this format and the performance is flawless. The production values are very good, sound and lighting is excellent. A solid honest well written, well performed and well directed piece. ... full review

I saw Booze, Blues and Bluegrass on the first night and though there were some technical difficulties, Laura handled herself with such grace and composure I was in awe. A sweet sad tale, getting to really know a parent and then saying goodbye is a powerful and life altering experience. Thank you for sharing a window into yours. ... full review

Laura Carson is a charming, honest and open performer. Never a false note was hit during wonderfully calibrated show. She adeptly brought the audience into her world and we went along with the ride, which was both funny and heartbreaking.... full review

I am completely inspired by Laura Carson's performance. I laughed, I cried, I was entirely charmed by her ability to bring dimension and understanding to devastating life events. I found her show to be insightful, powerfully moving and hilarious. I am so glad I got to see this show on Fathers Day. You done your daddy proud Lollipop.... full review

BOOZE, BALLS AND BLUEGRASS (Gold Medal) One of the mainstays of any Fringe is of course the solo show. Under that heading, there are many sub-genres, and the most frequent seen of those is the bio-presentation wherein the performer calls upon their personal history for the subject they hope to shape into a theatrically viable show. This is not as simple a task as many might think. But when successfully achieved, it can be among the most satisfying of any staging you might attend, by the power invoked through the artist’s bravery in stripping away the barriers between the emotional truth of the experience and the audience. In most types of shows there are means and methods for hoodwinking your audience into assuming the production... full review

Laura's performance is impeccable. Michael's direction is simple and sincere and left Laura alone to do her thing. I would and have recommended this show to many people. I hope it continues to grow and prosper. Everyone should see this honest, loving, raw account of this father/daughter relationship. You rarely get to see shows delve into this subject. Laura does so with courage and guts. Bravo!!! ... full review

What a wonderful and relevant hour of theater! Many of us are heading into a time of life where navigating a career while caring for our older parents is a reality. Laura Carson's story of shifting parental relationships, struggle, acceptance and ultimately emerging changed is brutally honest while also being relate-able, funny and heartbreaking. Laura welcomes the audience into an incredibly challenging part of her life like an old friend sipping sweet tea while swinging on the front porch. Her southern roots shine as she weaves her story in a way that keeps us engaged and wanting to know more. Her ability to shift between different characters effortlessly keeps the audience with her as the story progresses at a great pace. The wa... full review