Rogue 2022 mini-reviews: Guest critic (and big Rogue fan) Jackie Ryle gives her take on the festival

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‘Jaguar Is a Liar: What I Saw During the Fight for the Tower Theatre’

Jaguar Bennett qualifies up front that he advertises that his show will be funny, but that it really isn’t; that it is more a rant (my word). It kind of is a rant, but it still has a lot of funny because that’s Jaguar. He manages to take a topic about which he feels very strongly, including a lot of anger, and is very complex, and distill it into a story that informs the listener, makes sense, and incorporates his quirky and highly sarcastic brand of humor. I know the story so I didn’t learn anything, but I enjoyed the show because of how he presents it. I highly admire his ability to manage deep emotions by conveying them honestly without being caught up in and consumed by them. I definitely recommend it. (7 p.m. March 10, 7 p.m. March 11, Veni Vidi Vici) [Rogue program]

— Jackie Ryle

‘Brother Love’s Good Time Gospel Hour’

Although he does keep his audience well engaged, it feels like Brother Love tries a bit too hard. The entire show is a parody of the evangelistic fervor where Brother Love confesses all manner of sins and derelict behavior, including ladies of the evening, overnights in the brothel and cocaine. It’s all in the name of and for Jesus. Everyone is issued a tambourine and two one-hundred-dollar “bills” upon arrival to support the main theme of the show, which is reflected in the large lighted dollar sign that hangs overhead. He explains how it contains several crosses. His too tight seersucker suit, dark rimmed glasses, and slicked back hair give him the ‘look” to go with the act. He brings audience members up, then confesses his own sins, the truths to the rumors, all in the name of Jesus. The audience is pretty enthusiastic with their tambourines and responding to calls to get on your feet. For this show, once is enough. (5:30 p.m. March 11, 6:30 p.m. March 12, Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen) [Rogue program]

— Jackie Ryle

‘The Real Black Swann: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen’

We can always count on Les Kurkendaal-Barrett. He never lets us down. He’s a great storyteller and makes the audience feel that he’s not just repeating some facts, but that he actually was there and is sharing his own experience. In this case, he tells the true story of America’s first black drag Queen in the late 1800s, William Dorsey Swann, Les takes us right there. By simply stepping behind a screen while keeping up a continuous and engaging stream of the story, he steps out in a simple long dress and wide and floppy-brimmed garden hat and becomes the character. He makes us think, leads us to reflect, and exudes his ever-present charm and charisma. I did learn a lot from this show. Les is always a must see. I always come away glad that I was there. (7 p.m. March 10, 8:30 p.m. March 11, 2 p.m. March 12, VISTA Theater) [Rogue program]

— Jackie Ryle

‘Thinking Out Loud’

I totally loved this unexpected, eccentric little show. Dana Merwin is both charming and completely unexpected. She sneaks up on the audience with her sweet and attractive appearance, soft voice, and cute little puppet, who turns out to be a maggot enthusiastically professing his preference for certain body parts. Then she proceeds to take us to a place for final resting. Her inclusion of an audience member brings the message right home to each of us, and the heavy gravity of the situation is offset by the offbeat humor. This one touches the soul. I’d see it again. (7 p.m. March 10, 7 p.m. March 11, Spectrum Art Gallery) [Rogue program]

— Jackie Ryle

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