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Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Reviews Parallel Lives: The Kathy & Mo Show Reviewed by Victoria Lee Entire contents are copyright © 2009 Victoria Lee. All rights reserved.
In the beginning was an exquisite and intricate piece of writing of the humorous, "post-feminist" genre–and much merriment ensued. From the creation of Humankind, Parallel Lives takes the audience, laughing, nearly, all the way, through some of the most intimate features of life on planet Earth. But for all its brilliant bawdiness and equal-opportunity-fun-poking, this work's serious moments have that much more profound impact. Some of these moments were decidedly uncomfortable, yet I have no doubt that effect was intentional by the thought-provocation that temporary tension assuaged by comic relief can engender. Add to the mix fantastically-delivered performances by all, and you've found yourself in this uproariously memorable show. One of my first specific kudos is for the divine job of casting Michael Drury and Pandora Productions assembled. These Players not only shine in their individual, multiplicity of vignettes, they worked together in a dynamic synchrony that seemed to flow seamlessly into a brilliant whole. In that I have a whole new appreciation for well-placed, impeccably-timed ribaldry, I laud Mr. Drury for a bone fide miracle of Production and Direction. I discovered laughter types I did not know I had! As brevity may, also, be the soul of wit, a summary of stand-out performances includes the marvelous Elaine Hackett, Nancy Hoover, Chris Cook, and Mary Ann Johnson, each in myriad, diverse roles, but the latter two especially as Supreme Beings One and Two, at both ends of the show. Lastly, a brief mention of the lovely hospitality shown by Pandora Productions–the whole affair is invariably most enjoyable at the Bunbury, and the hot apple cider was like an Elixir of Life last night. In the end, I found myself musing on the medicinal value of laughter--because the great Cosmic Jokes really are on ALL of us. Go see this show and you may be much less tempted to ever feel alone in that condition.
Parallel Lives: The Kathy & Mo Show Featuring Alice Ryan Chiles, Chris Cook, Laura Ellis, Elaine Hackett, Nancy Hoover, Mary Ann Johnson, Julia Leist, Jennifer Poliskie, and Raven J. Railey.
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