Orlando Fringe 2016 Review: Nice Is Not What We Do

nice is not what we do

Nice Is Not What We Do
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Kathleen Denny’s one-woman show opens with her character receiving a phone call informing her that her father has died.

Denny’s sister, (portrayed by Denny) tells her that she will be speaking at the funeral, and to write “something nice” for her eulogy. As herself, Denny savors her moment of introspection and then proclaims: “in my family, nice…is not what we do.”

Nice Is Not What We Do feels like the mental movie that plays when reading someone else’s memoirs. Denny’s characters are fleshed out enough to be relevant to her story and not any more, as is appropriate for an hour long show. The narrative focuses on how one woman’s relationship with her stoic father and the Midwestern bubble that she grew up in affected her entire life.

How does one write a fitting tribute for someone who has changed her so much, especially in an unexpected way that is revealed late into the show? The conflicting thoughts that Denny grapples with are relatable to anyone who’s experienced loss.

The show opens slowly and can be a bit confusing at times with Denny playing every character, but will leave you grateful for the quiet moments, as they are often the most thoughtful. Go into this show without expectations of anything too showy, and you will may be lucky enough to come out with a unique reflection on the human psyche.

Read all of Watermark’s coverage of the 2016 Orlando Fringe Theatre Festival here.

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