Fugelsang on Shame
by Wmdan on 6/20/12Pantages Theatre - MinneapolisWe laughed, we cried, we were emotionally blow away, by the honesty, vulnerability and the raw honesty about love, shame and being human.
We laughed, we cried, we were emotionally blow away, by the honesty, vulnerability and the raw honesty about love, shame and being human.
John Fugelsang's one man show, Guilt: A Love Story, celebrates faith and fortitude and all kinds of messy, inconvenient and preposterous love. The kind that knocks you off your horse, unapologetically demands the impossible, flings curses, laughs uproariously and whispers. Between men and women. Parents and children. Lovers. Friends. Artists and life. Like the very best of stories, this one leads back to the beginning and will send you out wanting to tell someone, anyone, your own. John's tender wit drives his writing, populating the stage with characters you will later swear to have met. Go see it.
I so enjoyed the show, along with my best friend. Even if we both hadn't grown up Catholic, the humor was universal. I don't know who laughed more, it seems we laughed the entire time. The show moved at a nice pace, that is important! I was surprised the place wasn't packed full, John was so good and worthy of a packed theater, but that was okay too, easier to exit
John Fugelsang's one man show was a wonderfully moving tribute to his unique parents as well as a hilarious take on growing up and being Catholic. I loved the blend of humor, theology and political insights.
Guilt: A Love Story - I laughed, I cried, I laughed so hard I coughed a lot because the air in theaters is so dry.... I am a big fan of "JJ," as his parents called him. He's intelligent, insightful and always funny. On Twitter, between him and Andy Borowitz, I'm clicking Favorite all day long. So I know some of his jokes, and had a general notion about his life story - as son of a brother and a sister. And yet I wasn't prepared for the depth of feeling that this story paints for us. (Wait - can you paint depth? You know what I mean) His timing is fabulous, his imitations, body language and expressions spot on, but none of it would matter if this story wasn't so beautiful and intensely drawn. Or painted, I started with painting, didn't I? If you know Fugelsang as a political comedian/commentator/media host (he'll be subbing for nearly everyone on Current TV coming up), you owe it to yourself, and to show appreciation for him, to see and hear this beautiful Love Story.
What a wonderful comedic storyteller and actor. Great stories, great energy and how refreshing that a comic can entertain for 90 minutes without resorting to vulgar language! I loved the show and would strongly recommend to everyone.
I've heard a lot of life stories and we as humans all have one but I have never had one presented in such a breathtaking way. Thank you John Fugelsang for having the courage to memorialize your American experience in such a splayed open format. Despite the problems with the sound system that you handled in an amazingly professional manner it was truly an inspiring, belly laugh out loud while crying over a rock experience. It was in a word, well beyond wonderful.
John Fugelsang is both a very funny comedian, a very intelligent guy and a great writer. Hos show is funny, personal, smart, and quite touching without being the least bit sappy or saccharine. It is impossible to really describe. He calls it "a one-man show for people who hate one-man shows." My husband found it even better than he had anticipated; I know it would be great. Also be sure to see John in Stephanie Miller's Sexy Liberal Show, on Stephanie Miller's Current TV show/radio show on Fridays, and anything else he does.
A+++++ performance. His one man show was absolutely fabulous
Fugelsang shares his parents' love story, Catholic guilt, and his own leap of faith into marriage. His parents fell in love when they were both in Catholic orders, but quit when the passage of years only proved their relationship. Featured on NPR on Valentine's Day 2012, this story will enfold you and you will leave the theater pleased to have spent your time with this loving family.