Everyone can get behind “Angry Birds”—even my dad, at 66, refuses to surrender the IPAD these days—but, God’s into it as well? Would it surprise you if that has been the hold-up for unfulfilled prayers since 2010? The Big Guy’s been too busy shooting-off virtual fowl to deal with the love and life muddles into which people in the tangible world often trudge?
Leanne Linsky thinks so.
Lady Luck is a Whore is her one-woman show on the woes of failed marriages and dating, and she covers that woe with aplomb and a damn gooClick for tickets to Lady Luck is a Whore
d sense of humor.
Opening with a song, which can best be titled “Asshole,” Leanne strums a ukelele while singing her “thoughts” on forgiveness. Which are none too forgiving, but done with a smile. And no hint of genuine bitterness—she doesn’t come across as a woman scorned.
Instead, she looks at the pitfalls taken when one is unwary with great levity.
Throughout the show, Leanne steps into different shirts and, consequently, the people that have peppered, or influenced, her love life and led her to show business (or pushed her in another life direction, as shake-ups like divorce are aught to do). Interspersed, she shows up as Leanne and gives the audience “if” scenarios with multiple choice answers.
Her impressions, or characters, are distinct in mannerism, well honed and relateable. Calling “Hooters” a chicken ranch is something my own mom would say, and I’m pretty sure my dad would ruin his 50th anniversary toast with something as innocent, but painful, as “…then there’s my youngest…I keep giving her away and they keep giving her back.”
It’s clear Leanne’s not had much luck on the love front—starting from losing her virginity—but she’s managed to take it in stride. And sows the show with wit and minimal props. Women — single, married, or once, twice and thrice divorced — can easily relate to Leanne’s musings. Would you rather be bad in bed, a bitch, or stupid?
Why we feel like we have to choose between these 3—alongside wondering if we are ugly—when a relationship fails is in itself a whole show. Here, Leanne keeps each scene within the confines of her experience. But strikes a nerve without diving too deep into the rules of courtship.
And we don’t need her to. We’ve all been on the losing end and felt … well, just felt. Anger. Confusion. Regret. Pain—and in this case, Leanne makes hers our pleasure.
And reminds us that asshole can be said, nay sung, with a smile.
Wit-ful AND wonderful.
Lady Luck is a Whore has 5 performances, ending July 29, 2012, at Caos on F, 923 F Street NW, Washington, DC. Details and tickets
Kelly McCorkendale is a dog-lover, avid quilter, and occassional creative writer who loves the color orange and boycotts cable (except “Game of Thrones” because, well, what if winter is coming!?). After college, she realized poets weren’t in demand, so she shipped off to Madagascar with Peace Corps. Since then, she’s found a niche working on health systems in Africa but has a long-list of life tasks yet to be fulfilled–such as perform blackmail, learn a trade, and become a competitive eater. She has an MA in International Education, believes rice is the elixir of life, and, in high school, won the best supporting actress honor for the state of Missouri. She may also recite poetry (her first love) when imbibing in alcohol.
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Kelly rates this 4 out of a possible 5.
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