Don Reed’s Brilliant Comic Solo Reveals the Ways We Live

by Barry David Horwitz

Don Reed, Oakland’s Clown Prince, has taken on a familiar enemy. This time, he transforms our perception of the DMV, making it into a palace of revelations.

Lean, trim, and busting his signature dance moves, Reed digs into our shared California encounters. He sheds new light on seven characters he discovers in line. In a black T-shirt, Reed treats us to insightful comedy as he magically becomes each person in line.

Only Don Reed could make the local DMV office into joyful comedy and vulnerable emotions. In his stunning impressions of citizens, he expresses our essential humanity under pressure. He uses physical humor to boldly cross class barriers.

The seven citizens range from a Bro from the hood, to a feisty blind man, to an old Jewish Oakland storekeeper. He turns into to a bright young Cal woman who is a brilliant mathematician; he becomes a proud artist with disabled arms; and an Indian Uber-driver. Reed brings out their inner lives to share with us.

When he becomes Alberta, the smart mathematician, he tosses back her long hair with s swift hand motion. She works at the DMV and keeps the guys in order. She flicks her hair and says: “They call me Alberta Einstein.”

A hip Black Brother introduces himself and compares the line to “Waiting for Godot,” quoting Beckett saying: “They give birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more.” In his intimate voice, the Bro, confides: “I don’t wear a hoodie, being black is danger enough.” Each Reed character finds a way to cope.

As the Indian driver, Reed uses a subtle accent to become the immigrant who gets accused of being a “terrorist” because of his backpack. Finally, the Indian American gets over his native politeness and answers with fabulous obscenities.

Another old guy complains about his ticket. He says, “It’s a scam.” His name is Jesso Levine—but the bros call him J-Dog. He points out the DMV’s attempts to switch them to the Internet is just another scam—”shoveling more BS our way.” He advises a Black Panther: “Get yourselves some guns.”

Xavier Monzo called “Javy,” from the hood, has a blind man’s folding white cane. He worries about these silent electric cars that sneak up on him. He’s not ageist or racist, he just breathes us in. He’s a “Breath-ist.” His keen blind man’s nose detects our scents!

Then there’s Robert who was born with small, deformed arms—as Reed boldly imitates that disability. Robert is an architect and a painter—and he explains how he does it—with humor. Challenged, he retorts, “I strap a paint brush on and paint with my penis!”

These people don’t take no shit. They are bold Californians who work hard for their place in our wildly unequal workaholic culture. But they will not give up—even under these trying conditions.

Don’t miss Don Reed’s authentic characters, including himself. In his brilliant show, Reed exposes our way of life with the eye of a genius. It’s a hoot and a guide to our lives at the DMV and beyond.

 

“The DMV” –written, performed, & directed by Don Reed, creative consultants Bob Ettinger & Enss Mitchell, at The Marsh, San Francisco. Info: themarsh.org – Fridays – to November 22, 2024.

Cast: Don Reed (as many people)

Banner photo: Don Reed in “The DMV.” Photos: Don Reed