[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival review of 6 out of 10, written and performed by McKinnon Powell and directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.
Solo shows have a unique way of chronicling curated moments of a life. They offer a storyteller an opportunity to both discover an important part of themselves by exploring motivations, traumas, joy, and reaction while creating something memorable and hopefully even entertaining.
Of course, they run the gamut of focus and style, but the best are always honest. The humor, in fact, comes from truth, doesn’t it? So while someone may relate a particularly onerous time in their life, the retelling may trigger a response that wasn’t there at all when it actually happened. But humans have a wonderful talent for finding the funny in absolutely anything….and this is why, as many times as I have seen solo shows, and it has been a lot, I am always surprised by how much laughter another person’s ‘crazy’ can initiate from even the most subdued-appearing audience.
The fabulously named McKinnon Powell’s story is not so different from many others. He knew from a very young age that he was slightly different from his siblings and extended family. And as he navigated his life in small-town, small-minded USA, he found one particular thing to hold on to above everything else. His difference made him special, not bad, and one day he would live in a place where being different was the norm and, in fact, careers were founded on it.
McKinnon is a spectacularly wonderful actor and the story of his life journey through pain and confusion to peace and home is so beautifully written and authentically performed.
If not for the occasional grinding, it might just as likely be a conversation amongst friends at a dinner party, as a show in West Hollywood. This is my most favorite kind of solo show experience. Yes, there is some mixed media and a little music, some radically profound dating errors and advice. But for the most part, it is McKinnon himself and his engaging and utterly charming way of drawing us into his world that makes this one of my favorite solo plays this Hollywood Fringe!
Funny and truthful, bold, honest and perfectly purposeful. McKinnon was, quite literally, born to play this part. And his talent makes him a 10 out of 10 to me! Bravo!!
A big shoutout to the marvelous Soaring Solo Studios for once again bringing wonderful stories from gifted and creative performers to the stage.
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/13675?tab=details
Where:
The Zephyr Theatre
7456 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood
When:
June 5, 11, 21 and 27
More Info:
https://mckinnonpowell.com | https://www.soaringsolostudios.com/
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