“My Sister’s An Only Child”
CityStage, Springfield
Through January 27
By Shera Cohen
Steve Solomon’s “My Sister’s An Only Child” is the stuff that the Comedy Central network is made of, yet perhaps a little cleaner and more wholesome. Special to CityStage is that this show is a world premiere. Solomon’s last production, also at CityStage, has run off-Broadway for 500 performances. Who’s can predict if this will be a repeat of that success? Based on the audience reaction, it probably will be.
Solomon ended his 90-minute, no-intermission stories by answering two questions that are often asked of him. First, did he write the material? “Yes.” Second, is it true? “Unfortunately, yes.” The negative yet humorous response refers to the saga of his own life and that of various family members: mom (Italian), dad (Jewish), sis (chain-smoker), cousin (dim whit), ex-wife (dictating), and dog (flatulent).
Vocal tricks are Solomon’s gift as he replicates numerous sound effects, accents, and voices of men and women of all ages and ethnicities. He throws these tricks in throughout the act. While starting slowly with very clean humor, he escalates in speed and tended toward PG ratings. In fact, one of his stories relates to movie ratings, which he didn’t understand as a child. He told his aunt that P was pretty good and X was excellent, so she took him to an X-rated movie.
It’s so hard to remember the funny lines, but a few stick out; i.e. “I tried on a Speedo. I’m well over the Speedo limit.” A long bit was his embarrassing story of purchasing feminine products for his sister. “Do I go with the wings or without?” Another story was about his gigs on cruise ships and their tiny bathrooms. A fourth was a reminder that airline travel with babies is not a fun experience.
The show is a stream of personal funny stories and jokes. Some of the latter are not new. Most are. Solomon’s life experiences made many shake their heads with the expression, “That’s so true; that’s my life too.”
Through January 27
By Shera Cohen
Steve Solomon’s “My Sister’s An Only Child” is the stuff that the Comedy Central network is made of, yet perhaps a little cleaner and more wholesome. Special to CityStage is that this show is a world premiere. Solomon’s last production, also at CityStage, has run off-Broadway for 500 performances. Who’s can predict if this will be a repeat of that success? Based on the audience reaction, it probably will be.
Solomon ended his 90-minute, no-intermission stories by answering two questions that are often asked of him. First, did he write the material? “Yes.” Second, is it true? “Unfortunately, yes.” The negative yet humorous response refers to the saga of his own life and that of various family members: mom (Italian), dad (Jewish), sis (chain-smoker), cousin (dim whit), ex-wife (dictating), and dog (flatulent).
Vocal tricks are Solomon’s gift as he replicates numerous sound effects, accents, and voices of men and women of all ages and ethnicities. He throws these tricks in throughout the act. While starting slowly with very clean humor, he escalates in speed and tended toward PG ratings. In fact, one of his stories relates to movie ratings, which he didn’t understand as a child. He told his aunt that P was pretty good and X was excellent, so she took him to an X-rated movie.
It’s so hard to remember the funny lines, but a few stick out; i.e. “I tried on a Speedo. I’m well over the Speedo limit.” A long bit was his embarrassing story of purchasing feminine products for his sister. “Do I go with the wings or without?” Another story was about his gigs on cruise ships and their tiny bathrooms. A fourth was a reminder that airline travel with babies is not a fun experience.
The show is a stream of personal funny stories and jokes. Some of the latter are not new. Most are. Solomon’s life experiences made many shake their heads with the expression, “That’s so true; that’s my life too.”
Labels: citystage, greater springfield, misc, my sister's an only child
