Outside, the late October evening was bracing and clear, while inside, a crowd gathered around the stage at Know Theatre, generating warmth. It was about to be Cincinnati’s first experience with TRUE Theatre, a new dramatic adventure in unscripted storytelling accompanied by an accordion. I settled in my seat, enjoying the hum of a lively venue and happily tucked into a beer. That was one moment. The next, I was rapt, listening.
The evening’s theme was fear. One storyteller retraced the brutal steps of her double-lung transplant. Another described being diagnosed with an aggressive, likely terminal cancer and his walk with God. Another, a difficult childhood with a mentally ill parent. Equally searing were stories told about the fear that comes with running a business, having other people depend on you for their livelihood. And the fear that comes with roller coasters.
These stories, very candidly and honestly shared, were personal, chilling … and true.
TRUE Theatre co-creators David Levy and Jeff Groh
