some life
Best Female Solo Performance Award
2004 San Francisco Fringe Festival
A different angle changes everything - any poolshark, fisherman, boxer, or helpless wayward bullet could tell you that.
A woman reflected in unexpected mirrors: black blondes and Harriet Tubman in Hollywood; a hard woman among strong ones in a Queens hospital ward; the syzygy of Brancusi, clothespins, and Billie Holiday's smile; Harvard and molar-sized diamonds at a Potrero Hill BBQ; and one very industrious, very tiny little spider on her ceiling.
Directed by Emily Koch, written and performed by Mia Paschal, with lighting design by Curtis Overacre, "some life" will show you 13 facets of a black woman in these United States: change your angle.
Audience Reviews for some life:
From the 2004 San Francisco Fringe Festival:
Reviewer: Christian Cagigal
Rating: 5 Stars
The writing is beautiful and hypnotic. While not all the material is autobiographical, it's jaw dropping to see her take on these moments of life as if they truly happened to her. Mia's style is very physical and no part of the stage is safe from her and she makes the most of it all. Stories do become dark, scary, bleak, but they are always filled with honesty and soul. At no point do you feel self-indulgence but rather a gift being offered to you the watcher. It's refreshing to watch something edgy without needing to be "EDGY". It's a simple, open and honest show and that's what makes it new and edgy.
--Christian Cagigal
Reviewer: Diana Galligan
Very riveting performance. Mia is biting in her satire and amazing in her comic delivery. Her message tugs the heartstrings and doesn't let them go. Powerful and energetic performance - funny, moving and thought-provoking.
-- Diana of "Viva Vivi!"
Reviewer: Jen Kollmer
A fabulous performance. Mia Paschal is such a powerful actress, and she delivers a piece that's both touching and comic. I particularly enjoyed her BBQ segment, which captured both elements so well.
Reviewer: Shaun Landry
Rating: 4 Stars
Mia Paschal’s stories onstage are intriguing to watch. Her Laurie Anderson Like technique..blended in with incredible technical direction is superb. I have to say that most of the monologues from a female (and black) perspective were painful and sometimes, horrible to watch from a personal level...but that is what theatre is supposed to do. The show's actual content was raw and bare boned. And as much as I was horrified...that is what theatre is supposed to do. Shock you into a new place and make you think. Great Job Some Life!
Reviewer: Vernon T.
Rating: 4 Stars
It was an amazing performance by Mia in "some life". You entered the mind of her characters and saw through their eyes things that make you laugh and cringe. You can't leave without thinking about your life and experiences.
Reviewer: Rory Brown
Rating: 4 Stars
From the opening lines, Mia conveys the lives of black women. Living their stories out for 50 minutes. The words hit you first, then the feelings stay with you - joy, pain and laughter.
Reviewer: Yvonne P.
Rating: 5 Stars
A beautiful, bittersweet show. some life is at times humorous but always poignant and above all, universal. Mia is a joy to watch and the writing is absolutely brilliant.
Reviewer: Greg B
Wow. Mia Paschal is a wonderful performer and a lyrical writer, and talent shines through in this solo show, which goes from hilarious dreams of Jessica Simpson leading a slave revolt to intense revelations about personal demons, and the struggle to come to peace with yourself. She crawls up the walls and under your skin, and you won't leave without having laughed and then found your own reflection in one of the facets of her show. Good stuff.
Photo: Mark Wilson
