"I Light Up My Life: The Mark Sam Celebrity Autobiography" FringeNYC 2011
9/12 – I Light Up My Life: The Mark Sam Celebrity Autobiography (LGBT FringeNYC Show) Writer: Mark Sam Rosenthal Reviewed by: David Roberts and Joseph Verlezza
From David Roberts –
“There, out in the darkness, a fugitive running: fallen from god, fallen from grace. God be my witness, I never shall yield till we come face to face. Till we come face to face.” -- Javert in “Les Miserables”
Proverbs 16 advises its readers that “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” One would think that a southern United Methodist (with a Jewish father) might heed such a warning, but not Sam Mark Rosenthal whose “I Light Up My Life” bitch slaps lowliness in spirit and most of the oppressed to the proverbial (pun intended) curb.
Whether sitting next to a small table downstage left or standing at a microphone upstage right, Mark Sam relentlessly rehearses his celebrity status with an appropriate “haughty spirit” and “pride.” Mark Sam’s prideful account of his life does result in a fall, but here it is a gentle fall into grace. His unabashed and sometimes shocking life story gives each audience member the opportunity to remember and rehearse her or his own life story. We spend our lives being told not to be too proud, to be careful of bragging, not to put ourselves before others. Mark Sam’s journey from a closeted gay boy and young man to an adult aware of his status and truly proud of his status is a journey we all need to take, whatever our “closets” might be.
Perhaps the comedic nature of the performance sometimes interferes with the audience’s ability to recognize that they are indeed watching the unfolding of their story, but this reviewer is willing to accept that as a possible intent of writer, actor, and director.
Mark Sam concludes his “interview” singing Javert’s “Stars” from “Les Miserables.” Mindful that Javert recited these words before he chose to commit suicide, we can perhaps see these somewhat maudlin lyrics as the last best testimony to Javert’s life of chasing down all that he found unacceptable and dangerous and threatening. Mark Sam’s elusive opponent is not a wrongly convicted thief: Mark’s opponent, our opponent is all we must confront to be truly free and truly well.
Here, in “I Light Up My Life,” the song is more a victory song, a song of triumph over all that might keep us from being who we are. Sometimes we who are oppressed become oppressors instead of leading others into places of freedom, peace, and grace. John Wesley would be terribly proud of Mark Sam Rosenthal (Mark will get this allusion). This critic certainly is.
The “Joseph Jolt” by Joseph Verlezza –
As a new member of the Mark Sam Celebrity Fan Club, my only wish would be to be able to feel closer to Mark Sam and become part of his life story. He is an excellent storyteller but at times, rather than hearing about the memory, I wanted him to take time and visit that place and take me with him. Regardless, his energy, his wit, and his sentimentality make this performance a great celebrity tour.
From the creators of “Blanche Survives Katrina in a FEMA Trailer Named Desire,” this is a Comedy Solo Show written and performed by Mark Sam Rosenthal. Directed by Todd Parmley. Presented by Jim Bredeson Venue #5 Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Street (between Rivington and Delancey Streets) in Manhattan as part of the 15thAnnual New York City Fringe Festival. Performance schedule: Friday August 12 at 5:00 p.m.; Saturday August 13 at Noon; Wednesday August 17 at 9:15 p.m.; Wednesday August 24 at 4:00 p.m.; and Friday August 26 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased online at www.fringenyc.orgby phone at 866-468-7619 up to 24 hours before the performance, in person at FringeCENTRAL (1 East 8thStreet at Fifth Avenue). Tickets are $18.00 at the door and can be purchased 15 minutes before each performance (cash only) at Venue #5 Dixon Place.
WITH: Mark Sam Rosenthal.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Saturday, August 13, 2011
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