[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of “Thank You So Much For Coming,” a solo show by Alex Kern, co-written and directed by Natasha Mercado at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2023.
“Thank You So Much For Coming” is a beautifully surreal show with an extraordinary performance by Alex Kern. It begins simply enough with a party to which the audience has all been invited, although not by Ms Kerns. Her friend has invited all of us to come and then has not been able to come himself…how classic of him. But our hostess doesn’t miss a beat. It’s all acceptable behavior in the world of Cynthia’s most fabulous party ever.
Alex Kern and her co-writer and director, Natasha Mercado, have both trained extensively as clowns, which goes some way to explain how ethereal this Cynthia creature is. There is something slightly alien about her. She is mystical somehow. Clearly rich, with friends like Donatella Versace calling to tell her they weren’t able to come, who she then explains were very close friends until Covid, now Donatella has become a bit of a recluse. It’s easy to understand how distance can change a friendship. But, Cynthia isn’t a gossip, she’s far too classy for that. She has that odd kind of intensity that comes with money. Like a serious, cerebral child. Unusual and slightly hard to connect to.
The play unfolds as the party does. Cynthia picks out people from the audience to connect to, as you might if you were at a small and exclusive cocktail party. But it’s all part of the show, as she sweetly plays with them, like a kitten. There’s a sadness to her. A coolness that seems more like a shield. No husband. No children. So her time must be spent preparing for events like this. As the calls keep coming from friends sending their regrets for not attending, the air feels heavier. We see Cynthia wilting little by little. Not in an obtuse way, but subtly and oh so gorgeously.
The play seems to be a character study more than a commentary on a life. Although I have known several Cynthias, this is really spot on for a rich lonely lady who is intelligent enough to secretly acknowledge that her life might be a bit dull, and empty. Although she would never admit that out loud.
In the final moments of the show there is a metamorphosis. Something magical and poignant and beautiful…but I don’t want to spoil it for you. Suffice it to say, this is a performance of such candor and depth that those final moments reveal everything.
“Thank You So Much For Coming” is an absolutely exquisite piece of theatre. One of my favorite Hollywood Fringe Festival plays so far. An unexpectedly brilliant play with an utterly mesmerizing performance. I’m still spending time thinking about this play days and days later…I absolutely loved it!
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9778?tab=tickets
When:
Tuesday, June 20 @ 930PM
Friday, June 23 @ 5PM
Where:
The Broadwater (Black Box)
6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038