Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Experimenting with connection in The Huntington’s extraordinary ‘Nassim’

Posted on October 19, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

So much can be said without saying a word.

Embarking on a new journey into experimental theater after the hilarious and frenetically urgent Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight, The Huntington delivers another unique work where anything is possible.

Eloquently directed by Omar Elerian and featuring a different guest for every performance, The Huntington presents Nassim Soleimanpour’s Nassim live and in person at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, October 27. This fascinating and semi-interactive production runs 75 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

10/09/2024 – Boston, Mass. – Opening of Nassim Soleimanpour’s play Nassim as performed by Jared Bowen in the Wimberly Theatre at the Calderwood Pavillion on the Wednesday, October 9th, 2024. (© Mike Ritter)

With nothing but a sealed box containing an unseen mysterious script sitting on a table labeled only with the guest’s name, the anticipation is high and this particular guest admits that he is terrified as a mysterious person quips, ‘No panic on the Titanic.’

Who can blame him?

Being the first guest performer on opening night of a production that can virtually go anywhere should come with understandable trepidation. GBH’s Jared Bowen stepped out on the stage not knowing what was in store for him and the audience. This particular performance was deemed the 478^th time this production has ever been performed and Jared had to be ready for spontaneity, plenty of improvisation and game for virtually anything.

What occurred was genuinely humorous, personal, heartfelt, and revealing. Nassim contains several moments of moving subtlety and unpredictability that is engrossing from start to finish watching this particular story unfold. It is also communal, eye opening, educational, and contains compelling experiences that are both simple and challenging, but above all meaningful.

Sound designer James Swadlo and Lighting Designer Rajiv Pattani seamlessly set the tone to this original and spontaneous production that varies from moment to moment. It is also best not to know what to expect, but to experience it as the story unfolds knowing that each moment of this production serves a profound purpose about connection and much more.

Jared thrived through this engaging theatrical experiment and some of the future guest performers include Mike Gorman, Keith Lockhart, Marianne Bassham and Nael Nacer. Nassim is a distinct and creative exploration into the unexpected and it was exciting to take a chance on something new. It was absolutely worth it.

The Huntington presents Nassim Soleimanpour’s ‘Nassim’ live and in person at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, October 27. This fascinating and semi-interactive production runs 75 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Make time for The Huntington’s unique ‘Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight’

Posted on February 28, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

In some ways, Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight seems to be about nothing and everything all at once.

With a magnificent and probably one of the most gracious introductions to a production, Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight delves into the art of theatre, the luxury of Netflix, love, loss, loneliness, comfort, and all the idiosyncrasies of life that may or may not drive a person crazy. Part standup, part existential crisis, and part play-within-a-play, this original comical theatrical experience is hosted by a man who has had just about enough.

Jim Ortlieb of The Huntington’s production of John Kolvenbach’s Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight, directed by John Kolvenbach; photo Nile Hawver. Running January 20 – March 23, 2024 at the Maso Studio, Huntington Theatre. Boston, MA 02115.

Written and directed shrewdly by John Kolvenbach, The Huntington presents Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight live and in person at the intimate and immersive Maso Studio at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, March 23. The production is general admission and runs 60 minutes with no intermission with a special happening at the end of the performance. Do not miss a moment of this show because it is worth it. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Introduced by breezy 60s lounge music and surrounded by various vintage furnishings including lit chandeliers, doorways off their hinges, a ladder, a metal bird cage, and what starts out as a wooden lectern by Kristine Holmes and Sam Galvao, Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight is unveiled with frenetic urgency and earnestness expertly navigated by host Jim Ortlieb.

In a gray suit making a casual entrance, Jim Ortlieb guides the surrounding audience into a performance so engaging and interactive that this critic barely has time to take notes which was a joy. Lighting designers M Berry and Makenna Harnden’s rhythmic and atmospheric lighting acted as its own character perfectly timed with the quick pace and tricky transitions that lead to the most unexpected places.

All of this production’s surprises will not be revealed here. With a welcoming grin and a dose of self awareness, Ortlieb delves into some of his own vivid memories, imagination, and experiences with relatable and sometimes dark humor, but what is most important is that audience is here, present, and in the present. Laugh and be moved. That is what really matters.