Fringe Report: Week 2

This week I cracked it. I figured out my show. I got from A to B in the best way possible.

During one of the shows this week, I took a little more time telling the Mommy Story. I got into the details about her treatment, her hospice care, and the lengths people went to for the funeral and the memorial (Susie DePrez’s Motown Get-Down) in the middle of covid’s first summer. I lingered on details. I become indulgent. The crowd was completely with me, and realizing what was happening, I knew I had to get to an upbeat song fast. I dropped the fourth song and rolled right into the Big Lesson and the finale. They loved it. 

I have told so many people about my mom getting cancer and dying. I wrote about it here, extensively. The purpose of this newsletter, when I started it, was to write about processing grief. I’ve told it so many times that I’ve become numb to a lot of the emotional interplay that comes when sharing the story of watching a parent die. I just rattle off the main points to be done with it, throwing it on the ground so everyone knows it’s there, yeah I’m in the dead mom club, let’s get on with it.

I was doing that on stage when I realized that people were crying. They were rolling down their sleeves to dab their eyes. They were pulling out tissues. They were looking up and blinking. And I needed to slow down.

It is obvious, in retrospect, that telling the story about how Danny, Daddy and I cared for Mommy in the last months of her life is extremely, viscerally moving and would always end up being the centerpiece of the show. I told the story en route to a great bit about coffins in a showroom, but the detour into the story is far more effective. Part of me feels silly. Like, do you really want to hear a story about the months before my mom died? Do you really want to hear about her funeral? Is this really the most interesting thing I have to say to you?

But of course it is, precisely because it is the most banal. Everyone’s parents die. We can imagine it or we can relate to it. In the middle of my stories of growing up loud, I’ve realized that my permission to be myself, to take up space and operate at such a high volume is, of course, because Mommy let me – because she herself lived that way. I have a bit about how we’re golden retriever people: blonde, fluffy, and way too easily excited. 

When I first wrote the show, there were 11 actual lessons. Now it’s a show about growing up loud and how my family created space for me to always be myself, even when I was bullied at school, even when I wanted to sing opera (which, according to my mother, You Can’t Really Dance To). I say her name multiple times in the show so everyone leaves knowing Susie DePrez was a dancer who loved Marvin Gaye and being a mom.

I had 35 people in yesterday, which is almost a sell-out show. They were queueing at the door to the bar. I now invite people to sing along to the last song, “Life Is a Cabaret,” and they do. Three good friends of mine from Berlin came to see the show this week and could not stop hugging me afterwards and telling me they didn’t expect that. Well, neither did I! Apparently Susie DePrez’s story has more work to do on this planet!

I titled it 11 Lessons on Being Loud because the L’s sound good together and numbers put me at the top of the program alphabetically. This week I remembered that 11 is Mommy’s favorite number. She was born on 11/22. It’s her lessons.

That’s the hook. It was there all along.

Audience Reviews:

Fabulous from start to finish ! Definitely worth seeing. Steph is funny and a very talented singer (it’s not all opera). Although her story is very moving, which I did not see coming, you still feel uplifted when you leave and ready to face the world and be loud!!!!

— Kelly

First time on the fringe festival and I was so lucky to have seen this! Steph warmly welcomed everyone, it made me feel at ease. I am in awe of her talent, she combines opera with comedy and storytelling. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I laughed so hard (sorting trash has never been so funny!) and because I was so moved by the beauty of her story. Her voice moved me to tears as well, crystal clear opera in a basement of a bar!

Honestly, a refined and funny comedian. A refreshing point of view. A pearl amongst all these other shows. Highly recommend!

— Sarah

I walked what seemed out of town, then said I would have to leave early to catch another show, but I didn't as it was all worth it.

A very warm and moving show. Please get a central venue next year and with more songs you will fill the seats.

— Jane

Heartfelt Stand-Up Comedy

In a deeply personal and poignant show, Stephanie DePrez delivers an emotional comedy performance that will make you both laugh and cry.

Her candid storytelling adds layers of depth to the experience, making each joke and song resonate even more. Plus, her marvelous singing adds an extra layer of charm to the experience.

I highly recommended seeing this heart-string tugger of a show.

— John

Steph DePrez was fabulous. I really enjoyed her telling of the story of her life and how circumstances led her to become an opera singer. As a lover of opera I loved the way she wove arias and songs, sung beautifully by her, into her story. The theme of accepting who you are and loving the qualities of yourself that may have come under criticism when others tried to make you feel embarrassed when you revealed your true self was expressed perfectly in this performance.

— Maggie

This show has it all! You will be awed by the singing while simultaneously laughing at the comedy. Steph’s show is witty, impressive, and so relatable. A must see for all!

— Haley

Steph's show was absolutely fantastic! It was a beautiful combination of music, comedy, and Steph's personal journey. I highly recommend this show for anyone looking for a truly genuine show full of songs, laughs, and emotion.

— Benjamin