Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“Going Out”: Humorous & Heartfelt Memories thru a COVID Lens—at The Marsh

“Going Out”: Humorous & Heartfelt Memories thru a COVID Lens—at The Marsh

May 16, 2022 Jennifer Charron

Don Reed’s Wit & Brilliance Charm Hometown Crowd

by Jennifer Ann Charron

Don Reed truly does it all. Star of TV and film, he writes, acts, produces, directs, and does standup comedy—all with great presence and indisputable warmth.

His solo show at The Marsh, San Francisco called “Going Out” is simply sidesplitting: Reed’s grace draws us to him. He is charming, funny as hell, vulnerable, poignant, and deeply authentic. Waiting in line to receive his second vaccination shot, Reed muses over a lifetime of hysterical and touching stories. After two years of COVID isolation, Reed reveals what going out really means to us all.

Don Reed. Photo by Waylon Broadmax

Reed is King of physical comedy. When he mimics enforcing a 6-foot distance and applies hand sanitizer; we are in stiches. When he finally speaks, he says, “I’m not a germaphobe, but I AM OCD.”

Born and bred in Oakland, Reed was raised by a Jehovah’s Witness mother and a pimp father—a one-of-a-kind pedigree. Reed draws from a rich comic well, recreating his Oakland life with a refreshing burst of reality.

Using mostly great music from the 70s (with the gross exception of the 1976 hit “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band), Reed sets the mood with knockout dance moves and raw physicality.

A natural comic, Reed uses his whole body in narration—his facial expressions, his movements, his voice control—even his hands speak volumes. He underlines the humor with eloquent emotional dexterity. He turns on a dime, from joking to gut-wrenching heartbreak without skipping a beat.

Don Reed in Oakland. Photo: Daniel D. Baumer

Reed recounts the time his father took him to Cal’s Sproul Plaza to a Vietnam War protest, where Dad played his conga drum. Reed reenacts the sound and motion of the drumming, and the intensity of the moment. When his dad finishes, his hands are covered in blood. Reed explains, “…sometimes you ‘go out’ to fight.”

Clearly a brilliant young man, Reed becomes a prize-winning debater. We get the sense of a kid consistently surpassing his own expectations. Luckily, his beloved Professor Tim Miller guides him to classes, debate contests, and UCLA, where he never expected to go. Miller reminds him that he must represent Oakland, always.

In countless comic portraits, we see a younger Don Reed trying out a new dance outfit—tight leggings, western vest, and cowboy hat. The youngster is oblivious to his fashion faux pas, but his friends set him straight. His self-deprecating humor and self-revelation are sweet.

Reed has moved up through the COVID line and is now getting the shot. He asks us directly: “Did anything good come out of COVID?” He answers that our collective COVID “Time Out” allowed us to see the George Floyd horror in real time. He wonders if we were not all trapped at home watching, would Floyd’s brutal murder have had the same, universal impact?

And perhaps the lockdown made us more compassionate toward victims of COVID and AIDS, too.

Don Reed is one sharp and funny guy. “Going Out” is a comedy of manners enacted by an alluringly gentle and astute man. I feel like a better person after seeing Don Reed’s show.


“Going Out”
 –written, performed, and directed by Don Reed, at The Marsh, San Francisco. Info: TheMarsh.org – to May 29, 2022.

Cast: Don Reed

Banner photo: Don Reed. Photo: Daniel D. Baumer


#BLM, comedy, solo shows
#BLM, Civil Rights, comedy, exploitation, Family, friendship, hope, Identity, justice, love, Oakland, patriarchy, poverty, power, religion, San Francisco, Satire, social class, wit

Post navigation

NEXT
“Paper Dreams of Harry Chin” Reveals Chinese American Fears—at SF Playhouse
PREVIOUS
“The Government Inspector”: Classic Comedy Mocks Corrupt Officials—at Ross Valley
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Current Shows

  • “Dreaming in Cuban”: Haunting Reflection on La Revolución—at Central Works
  • “Hayavadan” Celebrates Love with Witty, Magical Spectacle—at Naatak
  • “Dream of the Red Chamber” Wins a Place in Operatic Canon—at SF Opera
  • “Dana H.” Tells Her Own Chilling & Amazing Story—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Hadestown” Rips Apart Industrial Capitalism with Love—at BroadwaySF
  • “Don Giovanni” Carries the Night in New Production—at SF Opera
  • “The Sound Inside” Alarms, Upsets Our Balance—at Marin
  • “The Mojo and the Sayso” Reveals Tragedy of a Lost Child—at Oakland
  • “Wink”: Hilarious Comedy Challenges Modern Civilization—at MSW
  • “Romeo y Juliet” Crosses Mexican Cowboy Culture with Queer Love—at Cal Shakes
  • “Melancholy Play” Opens a Window to a Wistful Time—at Lunatico
  • “The Quality of Life” Dramatically Mingles Romance & Grief—at Altarena
  • “The Keeper” Uses Nursery Rhymes to Strengthen our Resolve—at We Players
  • “Balikbayan Box” Delivers the Steps to Love—at TheatreFirst
  • “Cats” Whisk(er)s Us Away to a Magic Land—at BroadwaySF

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading
© 2022   All Rights Reserved.