Black Bastard

Amazing! Best Show I Saw At The Fringe.... full review

This brilliant solo performance is so inventive and theatrical. Jon's storytelling surprised me at each turn and I felt his energy and focus and joy and pain all at once. I was on a marvelous and momentous journey with him each moment and felt so glad to be there!... full review

Jon Gentry delivered a vulnerable and heartwarming retelling of his boyhood.... full review

This is such a beautiful piece of theatre. Jon Gentry is vulnerable, strong, hilarious! It moves effortlessly from topic to topic, character to character. The writing by Gentry and direction by Shinelle Azoroh are both spectacular. I highly, highly recommend this play and hope it has more life after the festival.... full review

A glimpse into his life, Jon Gentry's "Black Bastard" one-man show is as entertaining as it is engaging from start to finish. Unable to take your eyes off him, Gentry's captivating storytelling and performance charms you from the beginning, where he walks you through his lived experience of being the "Black Bastard" from childhood to adulthood. Authentic and earnest, Gentry's ability to capture many characters, from his stern step-father to his beaten-up Volvo, allows you to step into life through his wonderful eyes. A story of self-acceptance, Gentry's piece examines the role of the patriarch and redefines what it means to be a man - to be a Black man - to him, and to the world at large. By using these talents as well as limited props and c... full review

Jon Gentry is an outstanding storyteller. What a show! I’m so lucky to have seen this, and I hope many more get to experience Black Bastard. Funny, emotional, tightly written, and beautifully performed. This is the best one-person show I’ve seen in a long time.... full review

Being a bastard, is a taboo subject, yet a universal topic that transcends all walks of life and Jon’s story cuts across his audience with joy, laughter, and so many other emotions. In a very playful manner, Jon personifies many characters and employs magical realism, poetry, singing , 1990s and Houston, Texas references. A very entertaining one-hour, that celebrates queer and black joy, that leaves you wanting for more. He tells a beautiful coming-of-age story and homage to his father. ... full review

One of the most memorable, captivating and immersive theater experiences I can remember having. Jon is a magnetic, nuanced, dynamic performer and brings such an emotional weight to every moment you spend with him, it feels as though you are living in Jon’s shoes alongside him. There are so many thoughtful details in the script, and so many evocative ways that Jon’s writing comes to life. In our performance, the audience was engaged and active in such a beautiful way. I felt so honored to be welcomed in to this story. I would recommend you see this artist and this work at your first opportunity. ... full review

A really wonderful performance from Jon Gentry. His performance was a masterclass in storytelling, blending humor with moments of genuine emotion as we moved through the phases of his early life. The way he wove his personal experiences with universal themes of love, loss, and the joys and sadness of everyday life were moving throughout. Loved it. ... full review

I get why the show was sold out and is extending its run. Jon Gentry is a multi-hyphenate talent: actor, writer, singer, dancer, pure entertainer. The story he relates (of nothing less than his whole life) is deep, from the heart, and pulls the audience in. ... full review