Show Preview by Carrie Rheinfrank.
What do you imagine a lifelong performer, child dancer and choreographer from New Orleans, veteran of the New York theater scene, Topanga pied piper and founder of FOCUSfish might create during Covid lock down? Yes, Kirsty Z Beauvais wrote and conceived of a reflective, humorous, engaging one woman show, The Lion, The Witch & The Walk-In Closet with development assistance from director Kamakshi Hart. Performances will be at the Broadwater Main Stage in Hollywood June 5 (6pm), June 12 (5:30pm), and June 26 (1pm). Tickets at www.hollywoodfringe.org or bit.ly/kristyLION
Beauvais embodies various characters who comprise the admittedly somewhat hazy memories of her early years into her present life. Voices, real and imagined, convey the inner workings of a childhood mind and exchanges between restaurant customers and a 20-something NY actor working tables to make ends meet. Ultimately the scenes between Beauvais’ physical trainer self and the legendary Cloris Leachman in her 90s—who only offers barbs and back-handed compliments for her trainer’s efforts—create the catalyst for exploring memories and arriving at self acceptance. The struggle of this final persona with the possibly eponymous “witch”, seems to ultimately free our heroine from past demons as she embraces her place in the world and pushes her to become a star in her own right. Dance infused with energy, vulnerability and pathos frame this captivating solo show.
