[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Marissa Fennell’s solo show It’s All a Joke, presented as part of Solofest 2026 at Whitefire Theatre.
It’s All a Joke – Just a Comic Trying to Survive the Apocalypse
Marissa Fennell’s solo show, It’s All A Joke, was an absolute delight. Fennell’s magnetism is undeniable. The packed audience at The Whitefire Theatre was as enthralled as I was. Her energy and rapid-fire monologues held our attention throughout the performance. If I had one criticism, it would be that I wanted more.
The show centers around a would-be apocalypse during a stand-up show. The show also opens with the very funny David Hardy, warming the audience up with his hilarious stand-up. It also puts the story firmly in its place, a comedy theatre. We know what to expect from the main event, but what begins as a comic turn rapidly evolves into much much more. We are taken on a journey, filled with pathos, nuance, and lots of laughs. Fennell’s character work is really excellent, focused and very specific.
All these marvellous characters offer glimpses into Fennell’s mind. The Comic shines as a self-reflection of her current life; The Countess gives us the opposite, with her sharp-tongued barbs at anyone and anything around her. The Hunter and Beggar reminded me so much of our national treasure, Carol Burnett’s work. They are all drawn from Fennell’s life experience and we can easily connect with any one of them.
The writing is of special note. Outside of the stand-up stage, the journey Fennell and her characters travel was so integral to the apocalyptic scenario that I could easily imagine each character having their own solo show.
I must also praise the production and sound design team, Andrew Ceglio, who happens to also be the director of the show. I’ve seen a lot of solo shows, and sometimes the sets are over-elaborate and get in the way of the production, or they are so sparse that it hardly seems like a show at all. In this case, It’s All a Joke, there is a fine balance with set design, music, and lights. Bravo, Mr. Ceglio, for keeping the show lively and focused on the subject.
It’s All a Joke is an utterly unique show, brimming with dry witt and hilarious sarcasm and rounded by an awful lot of heart. Bravo!
Special thanks to Bryan Rasmussen at The Whitefire Theatre for bringing us a festival that feeds that entertainment niche. This show, in particular, is a gem, and if you have a chance to see it, please do. You’ll thank yourself for it.
*****
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