My first Fringe show was suggested to me by Denna Beena. Well…Since You Asked featured a solo performance by Kate O’Neal where she offered her opinions and personal life experiences. She would go to a small round table at the back of the stage to pick up slips of paper with questions, presumably from audience members and her mom. David Horgan, one of DEM Guys, was seated in the front row. An on running joke between us is that David always tries to pose in any scene I happen to be sketching. This time he succeeded being front and center. The center bleacher seating was full with run over audience members sitting on the sides,
Although much of Kate’s monologue was funny and irreverent, she succeeded best when she spoke from the heart. When she related one of the most tragic moments of her life, the theater went dark and she was bathed in a red spotlight. Everyone in the room seemed to lean forward, fully present. She sang several songs which resonated deeply with me. Desperado by the Eagles and Bridge over Troubled Waters. Her singing alone was worth the price of admission.
She has met some fascinating people in her life and has been through a number of jobs and husbands. When she discovered her husband was having an affair with the neighbors
wife, her retaliation had audience members gasping and laughing. This is why theater and the Fringe are magic. People will always want to gather in a darkened room to learn from someone elses life experiences. Kate shared them all, even her mistakes, bringing us along for the emotional ride. A show like this takes bravery and this was her first time doing a personal monologue. The Fringe makes taking such chances a reality for performing artists. I’m glad she took that chance. As she said, “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”
Show schedule:
Monday May 21st at 6:45PM
Tuesday May 22nd at 7:15PM
Friday May 25th at 7:45PM
Saturday May 26th at 12:45PM
Performances are in the brown venue and tickets are $8.
Thank you for your awesome drawing and your wonderful review of my show. A one-woman show is terrifying and difficult, but you and other audience members have made the process easier! It's been a great learning (and healing) experience to do "Well…Since You Asked." I can't tell you how much I appreciate you being part of it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!