Steven Fales tells his life story in this excellent one-man show, about growing up in Utah as a devout Mormon, but realising that he is gay. He marries and has two children, while trying 'therapy' to go 'straight'. But eventually he gets excommunicated and goes to New York to be a male escort, before he finally gets comfortable with who he is.

His story is one of personal growth through pain. While a familiar theme, it never fails to hold attention with a good mix of humour and tragedy and there are any number of unexpected twists and turns.

Steven Fales's delivery is crisp and professional, with quick timing and character changes - to the point of being as slick as a Mormon missionary in the early stages of the show. But when he moves to the more challenging parts of his life, real emotion shows through convincingly, while he is still able to switch from that to humour at the touch of a button.

The lighting and sound changes are sharp and effective, with the use of childhood singing recordings particularly touching. But the most arresting switch of all is when he takes off his hairpiece towards the end, ageing him by 20 years in an instant and conveying perfectly Steven Fales's switch from a 'perfect' but false Mormon/male escort to being an honest human being.

Cast Credits: Steven Fales

Company Credits: Writer - Steven Fales. Director - Jack Hofsiss. Lighting - Cory Thorell. Sound - Joe Killian. Costumes - Ellis Tillman. Stage Manager - Chuck M Turner III. Producer - uncredited. Company - Mormon Boy Productions, Utah, USA.

END

(c) Colman Higgins

reviewed Tuesday 13 May 08 / The New Theatre

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008