What I liked
Shanara Sanders is a divinely gifted storyteller who seamlessly weaves music, movement, monologue, song, spoken word, and soliloquy into an equally enchanting and challenging hour of personal and universal revelation.
Sanders’ story is so specifically tied to her own experience as a Black American woman, but she achieves a global reach as she simultaneously holds all of our feet to the fire and reminds us all of our common humanity.
Her performance technique is exquisite, with her clear-as-a-bell voice, atmosphere-altering presence, and eyes whose sparkle you could see for miles.
I especially found her execution of that oh-so-cringeworthy white girl voice not only spot-on and hilarious, but also filled with the subtle violence and repulsion that we all know lurks inside the ones who claim to be feminist but couldn’t tell you a thing about intersectionality.
Perhaps the most relevant and critical solo performance of the 2019 Fringe, Sanders is fighting for her life…and yours. With grace, brilliance, and sincerity, Sanders invites us with open arms to a seat at her table and serves us all a feast of “One Love” with slice of humble pie on the side.
To be sure, Sanders is not a victim. She is love, she is power, she is vulnerable, and she is freedom.
What I didn't like
Nothing.
My overall impression
“Ask a Black Woman” is a masterclass in solo performance, and Shanara Sanders is a master at her craft. She is tapped into both herself and the Big Picture in a potent and omnipotent way.
