[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of OMG, I Married a Narcissist, a featured play in Casa 0101’s Stand in the Light: A Solo Show Festival.
Casa 0101’s Stand in the Light (A Solo Show Festival) presented from August 21 through September 13 in the Gloria Molina Auditorium, is an absolute gold mine of Latino stories and talent that touch the heart, tickle the funny bone, and give plenty of food for thought. It has been my honor and joy to be able to experience these offerings of the best of live theatre.
OMG, I Married a Narcissist is the story of a Latina nurse who was once married to a famous Hollywood actor and her strange journey through movie premieres, celebrity encounters, and red flags galore.
This featured play was written and performed by Yerba Zoe McCourt and directed by April Ibarra. The play opens up with McCourt facing an annulment procedure for the aforementioned marriage, thrusting her back to a time she would rather forget. Luckily for us, McCourt fully commands the stage and this story as she brings us into her world of unexpected fame by proxy.
The writing finds a linear path down memory lane with McCourt playing all the roles. McCourt’s performance is fluid and endearing and really comes alive when she switches back and forth between herself and the narcissist in question.
The direction is clean, understated and flows from one setting to the next without any distractions. A refined approach keeps the audience focused on the story. Bravo, April Ibarra.
The message of this fraught relationship, where one person loses their sense of identity to their stronger and all-consuming partner, is in the end one of hope and forgiveness. But McCourt’s telling of a true story by reliving it on stage brings the audience along with her while she finds herself in this extremely vulnerable place. McCourt plays each note with precision, pathos and clarity of thought. Such a personal story could end up feeling only about a victim of uncontrollable circumstances, but not with this talented writer and actor weaving their magic. Their voice is loud and clear, with every member of the audience firmly on their side.
The theatrical experience is an unspoken contract between the audience and the performers. We expect that what we are about to see, hear, and experience is truthful and thoughtfully shared. In OMG, I Married a Narcissist, we get much more than a play. We receive a piece of Yelba Zoe McCourt’s heart and soul. It reminds us that finding your lost voice in a maelstrom of fame and ego is not only possible, but necessary.
There is still time to catch all of the great shows of Stand in the Light. It is the theatrical event of the summer. You’ll be glad you did.
Tickets:
https://casa0101.org/?shows=stand-in-the-light-solo-show-festival
About Stand in the Light
Casa 0101 has created a solo show festival, Stand in the Light, that is comprised of four distinct programs: Program A – Aquí Estamos y No Nos Vamos (in Spanish), Program B – Brown & Out & Fabulous! (LGBTQ), Program C – OMG, I Married a Narcissist!, and Program D – Latinos R Us. The festival runs from August 21 through September 13. Each program is wonderfully unique, culturally relevant, and thoroughly entertaining.