[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of the Solo Stars Series show Waking Up To All of Me written and performed by Amber Susa, and directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.Â
There is something magical about solo shows. The more intimate the theatre, the more moving the performance I think. The Hudson Theatre in Hollywood is a gorgeous place and it seems Taylor made for these small yet life-changing events.
Waking Up to All of Me is a solo play worthy of this special place. Amber Susa takes us on a journey through her life, from childhood to present day, and it is a transformative and beautifully written journey. Born into a happy family and a charmed life, Amber seems to have everything. But we all know that there is always far more we don’t see than we do and Amber’s story is no exception to that rule. A gifted performer, she learned early on that her bright and beguiling light was too much for some and she found ways to dim it and hide it, and ultimately that nearly destroyed her.
Pain is relative, we should never compare our own pain to others, although, of course, it’s only human that we do. Amber’s pain developed over time into drugs and sex and eating disorders. All self destructive and self inflicted. How does a perfect girl lose her way when she seems to have it all? But one person’s pain is never anything like another’s.
Amber guides us through her reckoning with a tender selflessness. She is eloquent and nimble, open hearted and searingly honest. Her guides are her soul and her ego, grappling for possession of her, each as determined as the other.
But it is Amber herself who must decide which form to take and, within this creative and inspiring performance, she truly does. A born performer, as she finds her center and rediscovers who she was always destined to be she yearns to share her story with others, to help them heal, to help them feel less alone. But not everyone is ready for their future and she learned this the hard way when she parted ways with her business partner. Holistic healing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, apparently…
But now free, Amber can create her own destiny once again. She has built a place for everyone to feel safe and to find their own particular center and freedom. A very special place in fact in Redondo Beach https://allomi.com/. Â
Through her own spiritual journey, Amber has found peace, a place in the universe and her purpose. Now wouldn’t that be nice?
Waking Up To All of Me is a really lovely play and, through Amber’s self exploration, I learned a lot myself. How emotional pain can manifest over time into real physical pain. And how we can fix so much of our physical ailments through meditation, movement and therapy. But we also need to be entertained when we go to the theatre, after all, it is called a ‘play.’
Amber Susa is a brilliant entertainer. She takes her story, which is sad and dark and clearly still holds pain for her, and turns it into something rather wonderful…and filled with the light she dimmed for so long.
I absolutely loved it. The audience was ecstatic and if Amber’s goal was to share herself and open up her world for us to see how big her heart is, then she is triumphant in her success! Bravo!!!!!