The Hollywood Fringe Presents: “IM)PERFEKT”

Written by Jannica Olin.  Directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.

Running June 9th, 22nd, and 28th

Lounge Theatre @ Lounge 1, 6201 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, Ca. 90038

“(IM)PERFEKT is a story that takes us on a journey of exploring and uncovering that which we think we are, have to be and maybe, ultimately aren’t.”

Jannica gives us the funny version of a life-altering situation at the perfect time in this trend-seeking, perfection-idolizing world we live in. She is in command of us and of her performance as she narrates her experiences through shock, embarrassment, tears and most notably her impeccable renditions of bodily features as characters.

This solo show is anything but dull.  She brings us into the real Jannica once her, pseudo character, Kasey Ka$h, signs off to her Instagram followers, taking off the façade and her clothes, I mean literally, as the hot pink skirt slides off and the sweatpants come on Kasey Ka$h is now transformed into Jannica. Something that many of us are guilty of doing, showing only what we think others will like. We sit in our seats and sink into the reality of how it all began. This mixture of scenes in narration form in a TED talk-like style, one she knows so well being a former speaker works brilliantly.  With photos on a screen above her head, providing a great plethora of entertaining ways to find out what Alopecia really is and letting go of a beauty we knew, to find the beauty she has always been.  All while still working in the industry that sets the marker of what we should look like and what perfection is.

Not just an industry but a world where many women have felt like they are not enough, or are broken and can’t be fixed. I too sympathized with Jannica when she said “I wanted to hand myself over to someone and tell them to fix me, isn’t that what you’re here for?”  Unfortunately, many women feel that exact thing day-in and day-out. They seek plastic surgery, hair dye, waxing, and on and on the list goes, but I believe if all these women saw Jannica’s show, they might change their mind of what beauty really is. It’s not believing you are broken; it’s acceptance of oneself as you really are and not what others think you are. It’s accepting that others will have an opinion and it doesn’t have to define or, better yet, hurt you. People are just scared of what “different is” but if we help others see that different is, well, just different and not necessarily bad then maybe they might come around. If they don’t and you notice “certain people dare not mess with you anymore” then I see that as a good thing. De-clutter your life of fake and insecure people and make room for the cool people.

Through the laughter and tears, Jannica gave an exquisite performance in her real-life tale of finding the blessing in a loss that seemed unbearable. Her story, perfectly matched with her director, Jessica Lynn Johnson, with her award-winning solo artist’s expertise, resulted in a beautifully crafted production. Encore!