Fringe 2019 Review: 'My Left Tit'

By Seth Kubersky on Thu, May 16, 2019 at 9:11 am

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The first strike against My Left Tit is that it stars a man, speaking in the voice of a woman about the sensitive personal issue of breast cancer. The second strike is that its creator, who is best known for silent ensemble comedies, is doing a dramatic speaking solo show for his first time ever. And the third strike is that it starts with him as a hyperkinetic anthropomorphic dog, bounding about the stage chasing after metaphorical fireworks.

So it’s an impressive testament to the talents of co-author/star Brandon Roberts – a longtime Fringe favorite for his slapstick Gromalot Theatre Factory productions – that this show overcomes all all those red flags, and turns out to be so much more than the maudlin tearjerker I feared.

Based on the writings of Roberts’ friend Gwen Edward, the play follows more than two years in the lives of a cancer patient and her faithful mutt Omie, from initial diagnosis through experimental treatments, up until the final hours.

Roberts applies his peerless physical theater gifts to this delicate material with a gentle touch, moving effortlessly between two- and four-legged characters with nothing more than a shift of his mercurial posture. Gwen’s words share lots of the expected uplifting wisdom about living bravely and letting go, but there’s also frustration, desperation and gallows humor that anyone can identify with. Interweave energetic interludes involving her dog’s increasingly absurd efforts to fly, and My Left Tit evokes a Pixar-like reaction of whimsical weeping, with many a tear guaranteed to be jerked. I'd like to think that wherever Gwen and her Wonderdog are now, they approve of this fast-paced, heartfelt tribute.

My Left Tit: a sorta true tale of the magical bond between a dog and her person
Moustache Running Club
Fayetteville Arkansas
Yellow
Age 13 and up
60 minutes
$12
Thursday, May 16th 5:30 PM
Friday, May 17th 10:45 PM
Sunday, May 19th 8:15 PM
Monday, May 20th 9:45 PM
Wednesday, May 22nd 10:45 PM
Thursday, May 23rd 9:00 PM
Saturday, May 25th 9:00 PM