SWIPED

What I liked

Alena is incredibly talented and funny! Her energy is astounding and her voice is powerful. The topic is relevant and the portrayal more accurate than I’d like to admit. The initial optimism, the desire to see the best in others, the self doubt and questioning, “what the f*ck am I doing wrong?!” That eventually ends in disillusionment. It was a bit Avenue Q/ Book of Mormon reminiscent for me.

You will be entertained. Period.

What I didn't like

There’s a scene with a “film maker” that I couldn’t quite make out the lyrics and thus couldn’t totally follow what was happening.

Otherwise it was easy to follow and thoroughly entertaining.

This is a personal ugh…Polly is pretty idealistic and status quo in her approach to dating. Which is funny in terms of a musical, and definitely entertaining. It’s also a troupe I’ve gotten tired of seeing/hearing. I was really hoping for a bit more of a satirical look at these expectations of women and prioritization of romance. Polly seems to be so focused on plodding along, checking boxes that she never stops to figure out what she wants. In this way, the character remains static, still focused on what others want her to do…and probably even picking a partner based on what society tells her to focus on. I feel like that was very briefly addressed in her final decision, but so fleetingly that it’s easily missed.

My overall impression

Having done my share of internet dating in my 30s after traveling the world and getting a master’s degree this show hit close to home. My independent lady friends in their 30s can resonates with the question, “Why are you still single?” Ugh!