What I liked
Ruth has natural stage presence that makes whatever she’s doing interesting to watch, and a gorgeous, clear, well-projected voice that’s perfect for this kind of monologic theater. Her writing is lyrical and poetic, and she spins together her tales with a marvelous style that is completely her own. I enjoyed hearing how she evolved as a writer through the device of using excerpts from her own journals throughout her life, and personally would be interested in seeing that perhaps further distilled in a future incarnation of the piece.
What I didn't like
As mentioned, a little bit more refining would make this already gorgeous show all the more potent and powerful. The writing is so good, it’s hard to say what would go, but I think allowing some parts to breathe more and focusing the story in on a few key elements would really make it shine— I really liked the discussion of language and identity, but it felt like we were covering so much ground, and I wanted to really hone in and go further on those.
My overall impression
Ruth is an immensely talented writer and performer, and this show reflects all of her strengths. Her show travels to unexpected places, from the lighthearted to the deeply disturbing— I found myself truly surprised by the turns it took on more than one occasion. While the show would benefit by some tightening/editing, the rawness and realness of the piece kept me engaged throughout. I am truly eager to see more of Ruth’s work in the future to see how she evolves and continues to develop. Brava!
