How I Got Rich In A Year, Using That Secret: - A Play For Believers, Skeptics And Slobs
- By Laura Vogltanz
Engaging, captivating and fun! Three descriptions that are difficult to achieve for a solo performer, but Laura Zam does it with ease. I chose to see this show based on promising reviews from last year’s Fringe and her production of Collaterally Damaged, so my expectations were a bit high. Last night, however, was the world premier of How I got rich… so one could only hope for the best. Zam delivered.
Motivational speaker Ken Johnson (Zam)takes his audience through the seven open doors. For fans of the recent movie “The Secret,” this production should sound familiar. Zam also plays a “performance artist” – a middle-aged woman that gets to take center stage as she goes through each of the seven doors. Other characters that make an appearance? A skeptical New Yorker that attends each of Johnson’s seminars, his cancer-stricken wife and a British female looking to steal Ken’s audience. Zam masters each character – their accent, body language, attitude and one can’t help but be captivated by it.
Add a well-written script (by Zam, herself), excellent stage direction (stage props only include a chair and a small bongo drum – impressive in itself) and this performance is a must-see in this year’s Fringe!
However, given this is a world premier and Zam requested a few critiques, there are a few that should be noted. Zam pushes for a few perverted laughs that though funny, seemingly come from nowhere and would likely have a greater affect if better developed. Also, two of Zam’s characters make brief appearances and given that I was so captivated by the others, I would have enjoyed getting to know these individuals a bit more. Lastly, Zam touches on a few serious subjects – cancer and her mother’s history in concentration camps. Though I was touched a few times, an expansion on these topics wouldn’t do any harm.
Of course, this is one woman, five characters, seven doors to open and a one-hour performance time. How does she do it? It’s a secret. And, one Zam has mastered!
- Running Time: 60 minutes
- Tickets: How I Got Rich in a Year, Using That Secret
- Remaining Shows: Sat, July 19 at 4:30 . Sun, July 20 at 7 . Thurs, July 24 at 9:30
- Where: Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW
