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A Shark Ate My Penis: a History of Boys Like Me

Soaring Solo Studios · Ages 12+ · United States of America

Content Warning One Person Show World Premiere
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a shark ate my penis: a history of boys like me

Review by XANDER JEANNERET

June 06, 2023 certified reviewer
tagged as: historical · LGBTQIA · musical · queer · heartfelt · comedic · funny · joyous

What I liked

The framework surrounding these stories of gender heroism Laser has crafted is packed to the brim with humor, joy, and an incredibly vulnerable peek into his own personal journey.
While the stories of these heroes themselves may be inherently tragic, Laser diligently re-tells them in a way that left me personally connected to the triumph and resilience of their spirits.

What I didn't like

While I appreciate the timeliness of the show’s ‘villain’, I wonder if there may be ways to work in other notable figures (and their false, yet all-too-common views) to play against.

My overall impression

A joyous exploration into Queer History that is both enjoyable and informative. Laser drives home the importance of celebrating pioneers, whose stories (notably) were only known because they were ‘caught’. I left the theatre feeling informed, and – thanks to the wit of Laser’s script, accompaniment of Aaron Wilson’s musical score, and the careful direction of Ashely Ward – incredibly entertained.

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a shark ate my penis: a history of boys like me