Dad in a Box

See it if If you want a show that is experimental theater and brings feelings about a persons life i to it.

Don't see it if If you want a more polished show. This one gets loud with its video.

See it if you would like to see an engaging performer use an elaborate stand-up routine as personal therapy.

Don't see it if you are looking for drama.

Also “DAD IN A BOX” is an elaborate stand-up routine that incorporates lots of short video clips so performer Kim Katzberg can play not only herself but many people in her life (instructors, father, sister, brother). Though the performer in her story is in training for stand-up comedy, this piece is closer to stand-up therapy for the performer’s difficult relationships with her family (father mostly but older sister too) &, by extension, the world. I am not a big fan of stand-up comedy, but here stand-up therapy doesn’t fare so well either. Though I found the performer very personable, I felt totally outside her very diffuse story, even at the climax, a very loud statement of self-realization, because nothing in the piece ever rose to the level of drama. I guess I had been expecting a solo theater piece.... Read more Read less

See it if you like experimental theater/performance art with heavy video use, all performed by one person who is putting it all out there with gusto.

Don't see it if you want drama - I was bothered by video sound level, laugh track and confused by the comedy juxtaposed with the serious issues tackled.

See it if you appreciate experimental theatre, multi-media and character, one actor and act, short, autobiographical, somber drama attempting humor

Don't see it if you prefer polished, linear drama, light theme, comedy or musical, or a larger cast and more elaborate set and costumes, or clear resolution

Also The actor worked very hard to master many character roles and the play takes risks and reflects creativity, perhaps even a new genre: A for effort.... Read more Read less

See it if You are familiar with improv classes, flaky therapists, weird meditation sessions, and pop cultural references. You like performance art.

Don't see it if you don't like to see people working out their problems onstage

See it if Some entertaining moments but needed work.

Don't see it if A comedy show based on morbid thoughts of her father.

See it if I can't think of a single reason to see this show. I didn't laugh once.

Don't see it if you don't want to see a woman, conflicted over her father's death from pancreatic cancer, fail miserably trying to make us laugh. Few did.

Also Before the show, a friend of performer/author Kim Katzberg said she'd seen the performance in a workshop form at a different venue, while the technical elements were still quite raw. Nevertheless, she found the show "hysterical."

Therefore I expected an hour of hearty laughs.

No such luck. I'm easily amused, but I didn't laugh even once during this performance.

The technical aspects include several prerecorded bits. Katzberg plays a bevy of other characters--a funeral musician, a comedy class instructor, herself, a bizarre serenity and self-help program director and more (not in that order). All that went off without technical glitches.

Katzberg also made numerous costume changes, to play her brother, her airplane seatmate, her father, her sister and others, all onstage. She pulled all those without hitches, too.

But none of her material was well-done, interesting, compelling--or funny.

She's no Calvin Trillin; About Alice made us laugh at death. This flops. Conflict kills it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be moved by a woman who opens up her heart to you.

Don't see it if You want to see a big Broadway musical.

See it if You want to see a gifted performer. Katzberg communicates in a believable and authentic manner.

Don't see it if You need the writer and production team to have fully realized the subject matter of this show.

See it if This extremely talented performer tells a rich, and sad story of her father’s death through many funny characters and clever multi- media

Don't see it if Tales leading toward dark, disturb you. Multi- media interupps your theatrical rxperience

See it if For you if you like one woman performances. Kim tries hard and it works emotionally.

Don't see it if Seeking entertainment, and some production, not appealing. Confusing characters.