Tanya Thomas in Naturally Tan
Photo by Jessica Lynn Johnson
Naturally Tan, starring Tanya Thomas, is a dynamic terrific one woman show about an attractive mixed actress from Singapore & the great racial obstacles she must overcome to be her authentic self and live her life to the fullest. Ms. Thomas is a very polished actress equally well versed at comedy and drama and an excellent storyteller. She seamlessly performed over 35 characters and reminded me of an exotic Sandra Bullock.
Azo Safo in I Heart Maroc
Photo by Jim McCaffree
I Heart Maroc is a fun, funny & fast moving solo show starring talented Azo Safo, about a lovable charismatic young Armenian American lady who joins the peace corps and the obstacles she must overcome while serving. This winning solo show was the shortest show of the group I watched and was very entertaining, illuminating and full of humor and soul. Ms. Safo engaged the audience thoroughly. Her journey to discovery and truth is inspiring terrific and heartfelt and told with great spirit, humor and sincerity.
Johnny Avila in The Whistleblower
The Whistleblower is an earnest winning one man show starring Johnny Avila, about a well meaning agricultural teacher in the Santa Barbara area who must stand up for himself and his students when an evil corporate nemesis threatens their world. This solo show was energetic, very enlightening and educational and the actor's multiple characters were commendable, touching, funny and serious This true story is very inspiring but a tad too long.
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Bethany Vee in I Have Too Many Feelings
I Have Too Many Feelings starring the lovely and talented Bethany Vee, is a very entertaining, inspiring and winning solo show about a lesbian actress who has fought tooth and nail to be her authentic self. Her difficult journey was very poignant and very funny. Ms. Vee is an excellent stand up and a very likable lady with sincerity and guts. I liked her use of including humorous video footage and her story sheds a lot of light why not all prescribed medications are suitable for all patients. This funny and talented lady found herself and it is a joyful humorous and commendable triumph.
After watching all 5 of these winning solo shows online I decided to venture in person to see the highly recommended The Dean's Office. Strict covid regulations were in place, everyone had to wear a mask and no one was allowed in the theatre without proof of vaccination or a recent negative covid test. I thoroughly enjoyed The Dean's Office which is well written by talented Joyce Lee and well directed by Sherrie Lofton. This gritty, daring and very well acted ensemble piece starred Nadege August, Darrell Phillip, Tory Devon Smith, Minerva Garcia, Yolanda Romersa and Helen Duffy. It's a shocking very timely, fast moving must see story about systemic racism in education told over the course of 3 decades that kept the audience glued to their seats and the talk back which followed was very interesting and poignant. Each member of the cast shined and was excellent.
Naturally Tan won Pick of the Fringe and Best of Broadwater 2021, so the encore is this Saturday, September 4th at 3pm at the
Broadwater Black Box.
I Heart Maroc is a winner of Best of Broadwater 2021. There will be one more performance this Sunday, September 5th at 3pm at the
Broadwater Black Box.
The Dean's List won Best of Broadwater 2021.