What I liked
This show plays to Dan’s strengths as a writer, performer, storyteller, and standup/improvisor. It is a stellar showcase of Dan’s ability, but the show is nowhere near anything about that. He has made a show about his unique life and life story the most relatable journey ever – we all feel lost together in that room, and you walk away feeling connected to the strangers you just entered the theatre with. As an audience member, you feel safe getting lost and found again in the hands of a wild guide who is just as lost himself, and shows you how that is a very good thing.
I absolutely loved the lighting design and technical aspects as well, which is what pushes this performance from standup to solo theatre for me. It can be difficult to build a world with limited props and set, especially for a festival as fast-paced as Fringe, and yet all of the elements were simple yet extremely well-done.
For me personally, the ultimate pocket for a piece of art to fall into is equal parts heavy and light, sacred yet irreverent, invoking something deep in your soul while also hitting your funny bone along the way. Neither of these two seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum outweigh the other – you’re laughing and having a good time when all of a sudden you feel punched in your gut, but are in the next moment laughing again, gently being brought back to the surface so as not to leave the theatre like you just walked out of battle. Even if you feel initially prickly about the subject matter, give it a chance – I think you’ll be glad you did.
What I didn't like
I wasn’t expecting the ending to make me sob my brains out, but that speaks more to the power in Dan’s writing and maybe my need to emotionally open up in therapy more. No improvements. Wait, I lied. Extend your run. Okay that’s it.
My overall impression
Dan’s Missionary Positions is a powerful theatrical storytelling standup special that will have you in tears from both laughter and raw emotion, regardless of your background or engagement with spirituality. Worth seeing again and again, as I have, and I will. So you better buy yourself a ticket before I hoard them all. I’m sure Dan would like to perform for more than just my crying ass.
