"Fortunate Daughter" at The New York International Fringe Festival
“Fortunate Daughter” Written and Performed by Thao P. Nguyen Directed by Martha Rynberg Reviewed by Joseph Verlezza Theatre reviews Limited
There is a refreshing new performance at the White Box Studio aptly titled “Fortunate Daughter,” presented as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. Recently, and in the past few years, audiences have been drowned by a deluge of “coming out” solo performances which, although containing a comical flair, perpetually spout redundant rhetoric that borders on being narcissistic. Thao P. Nguyen, who wrote and performs her piece, does NOT fall into this category; she has “come a long way, baby.” This is a story of discovery, connection, family and a belief that being comfortable with who you are will certainly affect those around you.
The journey begins as Thao takes her boss’s advice, leaving her job for a year to examine her heritage and visit family in Vietnam where she meets her grandmother for the first time. This escapade is interesting and hysterically comical because it is seen from a gay perspective and the timing and resources used to create the several family members is fascinating. Nothing seems forced. This actor trusts the material and knows it will not betray her: it is merely the truth. She has fun and shares that with the audience. She not only portrays a character for the audience members but engages them, which generates the energy that brings emotions to the surface achieving total exposition. Suddenly you find yourself thinking how insignificant it would be for her to “come out.” Never the less the confrontation with family does play out but with every conceivable consequence in exercised creating some comical situations.
In this critic’s opinion, this actor is fortunate in so many ways beyond having a loving and accepting family. She has searched her soul and has made an important discovery which she shares so eloquently with her audience. Thao P. Nguyen has written with honesty and integrity producing a finely crafted script with solid structure; and hopefully has reached out and tempted others to begin their own journeys.
FORTUNATE DAUGHTER
Presented by Meanie Productions (Nicole Maxali) and The New York International Fringe Festival. Written and Performed by Thao P. Nguyen. Directed by Martha Rynberg. Original Director: W. Kamau Bell. Lighting Programmer and Board Operator: Emma Hills.
WITH: Thao P. Nguyen
All performances take place at The White Box at 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette Street, 3rd Floor (Astor Place and East 4th Street) in New York, NY. Tickets are available at www.fringenyc.org or 866-468-7619. $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Senior and Fringe Junior tickets available at the door for $10. Running time: 1 hour and 25 minutes with no intermission. For further information, visit: www.ThaoSolo.com
Remaining Show Dates: Tuesday, August 21st @ 6:00 pm Friday, August 24th @ 9:00 pm Saturday, August 25th @ 7:00 pm
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Monday, August 20, 2012
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