Christmas in Bakersfield

L.A. ComedySportz Studio Theater as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival

Reviewed by Steven Leigh Morris, L.A. Weekly

June 22, 2010


Les Kurkendaal's solo performance tells of his visit to his boyfriend's family in "California's armpit," at their Bakersfield manse. They knew their son was gay, but he'd neglected to tell them that his lover was black. In a slightly mannered style that stresses clarity over mystery, Kurkendaal proffers a compendium of bigotry and homophobia, through which Kurkendaal is still able to win them over—even terrifying "Grandma," whose very name sparks alarming noises over the sound system. It's a sweet tale that aims to cut to the humanity of bigots and homophobes. Forgive them, Lord. They know not what they do.

L.A. ComedySportz Studio Theater, 733 Seward Ave., Hollywood; hollywoodfringe.org/project/view/57
 

 
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