My overall impression
This show broke my heart open. Joseph Valdez’s writing is extraordinary and his performance is incredible. The energy soars from the very first line to the beautiful ending. Told from the perspective of a brave little boy’s imagination, little Joe takes you into his world like an electric bolt of lightening. It was so much fun to see him battle the bullies of his apartment complex accompanied by his beloved cookie monster wagon. I was reminded of being a child and how much bigger the world seems to you when you are so small. How the pain is magnified when someone hurts your feelings or lets you down…or even worse..when you disappoint your parents. But, Little Joe’s bravery is fueled by his fears of letting the bugs in…“Once one gets in, they all get in.” At first, this is a playful metaphor..a little boy squashing a big spider triumphantly, fighting his own battles..until we see what those bugs mean to a grown-up and are reminded just how much harder it is to fight your internal battles when you lose hope and imagination. Joseph Valdez soars as this tiny superhero with a big, brave heart. GO SEE THIS SHOW! One of the best solo performances I’ve seen this summer at Fringe.
