I’ll be the first to admit that one-person shows usually aren’t my thing. I think it takes an exceptional script and director, a wonderfully focused-story and impeccable timing to achieve a stellar one-person show experience. Not an easy feat, I know.
I’m sorry to say that, although Desperately Seeking the Exit definitely hits on some of these points, it doesn’t manage to pull through with enough directed energy to make it fully satisfying. And although I’m hesitant to say this, I think it may be the pandemic’s fault.
In my opinion, a critical aspect of a successful one-person show relies on interaction with the audience. The best shows are a story and although Desperately Seeking an Exit is definitely a unique and entertaining story, it’s difficult to do justice to any story via a video conferencing platform.
Not only for technical frustrations either. In order to participate in the production vocally (laughter, reactions, and so on) the show literally pulls focus away from the actor’s screen: That was definitely not a helpful technological limitation. Storytelling is an incredibly intimate and conversational medium, and it’s exceptionally difficult to pull off in a digital space. That being said, it’s not for lack of organization or trying.
Desperately Seeking the Exit is being performed live by writer and actor Peter Michael Marino from New York City; two more livestream presentations are set for 9 p.m. June 4 and 7 p.m. June 8. In it, he relays his experience writing a musical based on the movie Desperately Seeking Susan, starring Madonna and featuring the songs of Blondie. An already eclectic and deeply intriguing description. Unfortunately for Marino, when he tries to take it to London’s West End, no one else seems to agree, and his production runs for a triumphant one month before closing.
Marino is high energy and seems genuinely enthusiastic about performing for his small, receptive online audience who mirror his enthusiasm. He certainly knows how to tell an entertaining story as well as how to relate to a crowd by pulling out a pipe halfway through to decompress and smoke some weed.
Ultimately, viewing the live watch party of Desperately Seeking the Exit is a fascinating look into modern and digital storytelling. It offers enough laughs and a completely unique story that makes tuning in live worth it.
UPDATE: The performance of Desperately Seeking the Exit: Online Live scheduled for Thursday 6/4 has been postponed. Ticket-holders for this event have been contacted by our box office staff. Performer Peter Michael Marino wished to share this statement: “In recognition of the current climate and the continued violence against black men, women, and children, I am postponing Thursday’s scheduled performance of Desperately Seeking the Exit: Online Live. I urge all ticket holders to instead spend their evening supporting the work of POC – either online, in books, films, phone convo, or in a good old fashioned Zoom meeting. Thank you for your understanding. Please stay safe. Please stay healthy. Please be an ally. – Peter Michael Marino”
The 17th annual all-digital Cincinnati Fringe Festival runs through June 13. Get tickets and show info at cincyfringe.com. Desperately Seeking the Exit will be livestreamed 9 p.m. June 4 and 7 p.m. June 8.
This article appears in May 6 – Jun 14, 2020.
