What I liked
Sophia has a true gift for keeping and audience engaged. Her comedic timing is impeccable, and her stories were engaging and relatable. I frankly wish the show was less “schtick” and more HER. Assmonkey being physicalized…I could take or leave. I think it would work better as a theatrical device if he (or even the idea of HE) was more present throughout the show.
What I didn't like
The most powerful moments in this show came when Sophia told us directly about her experiences dealing with anxiety. The various characterizations were fun, but did little to further her story. I thought the audience “naming their anxieties” would lead to something, but in the end it was a lot of build up to not very much payoff. I feel with some tightening up, constructive notes, and some real audience feedback, this could be something truly special. Also, a minor nitpick, but the director’s pre-show speech seemed to imply LA doesn’t have a theatre community (“wow you’re seeing theatre! check you out!”), even though this is the 10th year of the Hollywood Fringe, and there were a bunch of us in the house who had been seeing non-stop shows for 2 weeks. I’m an LA native and a big defender of our community but if I was a NYC snob hearing that I would have ridden outta there on my high horse.
My overall impression
I thought this was an extremely strong Fringe one person show. I loved the concept of physicalizing and naming one’s anxiety and coming to terms with it. Extremely brave, at times very poignant, funny, fun, and heartfelt. I truly believe this piece would be masterful if it went through another draft, with notes from folks who are part of the theatre company here in Hollywood.
