[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of SAM, the one-woman existential comedy musical starring Sam Labrecque, composed by Edith Mudge, and produced by Samskape Productions Inc. at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024.
So I don’t just love this play because it is all about Sam…(not me). Although, I can admit I was delighted that a show with this name exists. I loved it because it made me joyful and happy and incredibly glad that Sam Labrecque is in this world creating something as gorgeous as this.
I suppose it is satire. But so much of this rang true that it seemed more like a musical documentary of one actor’s struggle to get booked. A young actress all the way from the wilds of Canoga Park narrates her own story of her rise from a fledging unknown to her first real paid job.

Along the way is rejection, a lot of it. My husband is an actor and I don’t know how he survives emotionally. Or how anyone does. But I guess that is 80% of the job and this show beautifully and poignantly makes that painfully clear.
The songs are wonderful and absolutely hilarious, and everything is delivered with a sweet irony that makes the show even more delicious. Sam has a fantastic musical theatre voice and a huge range that she uses fully and to great effect. But it’s this character that drives the show. Is it her? I don’t know, but I love her anyway.
When she begins her journey, she bounces through auditions, making every one an opportunity and a gift. By the last audition, she is a little more down to earth, her expectations are rock bottom. So when she hears the magical words – ‘We would love to offer you the role.” – she is dumbstruck, which is adorable.
This show is one of my absolute favorites this Hollywood Fringe. It’s unique and heartfelt and Sam Labrecque is also not afraid to go deep. She is a natural comic and I love her voice, but her performance is much more than played for laughs. Her audience is always going to be mostly other actors at Fringe, all supporting each other’s shows and their fellow journeymen. So a play about an actor is probably a little harder to pull off in some ways. But this play is so beautifully written and so wonderfully and truthfully performed that no one could think it any less than perfection.

There are just three last opportunities to see Sam Labracque perform her opus Sam and you would be a fool to miss it. Fringe is made for magical talents such as this. It is the perfect frame for a perfect show….and I love, love, loved it so much!!!
Where:
The Broadwater Studio
1078 Lilian Way, Hollywood
When:
Saturday, June 29 @ 9:30am & 2:00pm
Sunday, June 30 @ 8:00pm (Closing Night)