[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Nursing is My Life: One Woman’s Story of How Nursing Sucks, written and performed by Charley Karlotta, and directed by and developed with Jessica Lynn Johnson for Solo Stars Series.
I have seen this show develop over the past several years with the guidance of Jessica Lynn Johnson and the steely yet sweet perseverance of the indomitable Charley Karlotta.
In essence, it is the story of her life. But there is something much more going on. A reluctant nurse, always unhappily falling back on this most unappreciated and overworked of existences, Charley finds humor and indeed musicality in the long shifts, puking patients and bitter coworkers. The show is sprinkled with her versions of classic songs, liberally altered to fit her own narrative, twisted beautifully and hilariously to entertain and inform…what a life is a nurse!
As Charley spills the dirty secrets of one of the oldest professions, we get a gnarly insight into the life of a nurse. It’s quite eye opening in fact and, when a good friend of mine expressed an interest in nursing the other day, I gasped and wished I could take her to this show! What nurses go through on a daily basis is shocking and the pay shameful. But in spite of the grimness of her profession, Charley has created a show full of laughter, poignancy and her own sweet character, wistfully imagining a better life, an easier job and more comfortable shoes. Her son accompanies her on the piano, which is such a truly beautiful touch and he smiles his way through the entire show…which certainly says a good deal about her skills as a mother!
It’s astonishing how anyone would ever want to be a nurse. Terrible money, appalling lack of support, very real danger from patients and doctors alike, and long shifts with too many patients and no time for any of them. Charley has done it all and although it makes for a wonderfully funny and fascinating show I wouldn’t wish her career on many! But I suppose that is the point! So bravo, Charley! Success!
I do hope Nursing is My Life: One Woman’s Story of How Nursing Sucks will be performed again soon…Hollywood Fringe anyone?? If it is I highly recommend this utterly charming show.
