[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of All the Boys I Blocked!, written and performed by Chanel & The Circus aat Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024.
Boy did this show resonate with me! A somewhat improvised musical featuring Chanel in full clown paraphernalia ironically discussing their tragic love life in a room full of deeply appreciative and empathetic Hollywood Fringe audience. Chanel seems to have mastered the art of the comedic, the melancholy, the slightly savage, and the absolutely real. As they navigate the memory of their dating histories we are treated to man after unfortunate man, who they of course have the highest of hopes for each and every time…been there. As they expose each of their shortcomings, Chanel liberates themselves with songs. Songs of heartbreak, songs of solace, songs of comparative shame, and songs of forgiveness, mostly for Chanel, which is utterly marvelous and just as it should be.
The original songs are part of an album soon to be released and Chanel cracks open their heart as they sing and play these truly excellent, weirdly beautiful and funny songs.
This is a show unlike any other at Fringe. It is searing yet gentle, brazen yet believable. There is, I am sure, some poetic license taken…especially during the actual poems of which there are a few. But overall, it felt exactly like the kinds of nutt-ball relationships we have all found ourselves in from time to time, wondering often how we allowed ourselves to be fooled yet again. Being a human, whether female or male or the rainbow in between is complicated in matters of the heart. Especially so for one as sweet as Chanel. For all their warrior posing Chanel is actually yearning to be loved after all. And so they share this with us and as Chanel unfolds all the messy and the profound they rise above it all and to their infinite credit they take us with them.
There is a little audience participation, but nothing too scary. Chanel asks about our worst relationships and then makes little ditties about them at it is of course brilliant and hilarious and spot on, given the reaction from whoever bravely volunteers.
I absolutely adored All the Boys I Blocked! Vista is the perfect venue too as it allows for the show to be not just witnessed by the audience but for them to be a part of it. The stage is the stage, but once the performer reaches out or walks from it into the audience, the lines are blurred and since most of the audience are also fringers, well, you can imagine the gorgeous connections that are made and the perfect alliances that are formed over and over again. It’s an incredible experience and Chanel is part rock star, part clown-witch and all musical god.
I urge you to see this fabulous show, it has one final performance on Sunday, June 30th.
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/10433?tab=tickets
When:
Sunday, June 30 at 7:30 pm
Where:
Javista Coffee Hollywood
1532 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028
Creative Team:
Chanel Samson, playwright, composer, and performer. Melanie D’Andrea, director and filmmaker.