In the heartwarming and hilarious Lolo's Boyfriend Show, Lauren O'Brien commands the stage with a whirlwind of energy, humor, and heart, weaving an entertaining and resonant narrative. As Lolo navigates the twists and turns of her tumultuous romantic past, we are drawn into her world, learning of her inner struggles and how she bravely confronts or sometimes ignores them.
O'Brien's dynamic portrayal of Lolo is engaging. She keeps the audience's attention with each anecdote and humorous portrayal, effortlessly drawing the audience into her world. From her wild adventures to her moments of vulnerability, O'Brien's range as a performer shines through, keeping viewers invested in Lolo's journey. Although wrapped in humor, her romantic escapades are actually sad retellings of Lolo's struggles with low self-esteem and worth. She grapples with being beautiful and wanting to find love, often confusing mal-intentions or choosing to blatantly overlook them for a warm body. Lolo's afflictions are one that many in search of love may struggle with; the relevance is undoubtedly present. I wished to see more of how she overcame these issues and learned to love herself.
The production has wonderful costumes and O'Brien does a great job of seamlessly changing in and out of them. The artful visual projections further enhanced the storytelling experience. The set provides the perfect backdrop for Lolo's escapades, smoothly transporting audiences from the locations Lolo frequents.
Lolo's Boyfriend Show showcases O'Brien's talent as a performer and storyteller. With its blend of humor, heart, and high energy, this production will surely leave audiences cheering for more.
Try to catch Lolo before it takes its final bow.
"Lolo's Boyfriend Show
Written and Performed by Lauren O'Brien
Directed by Christine Bokhour
April 4 to 21, 2024
14Y Theater (14th Street Y, 344 East 14th St., NYC)
Yani Perez, M.F.A, is a poet, playwright, translator, and educator. Her plays have been presented in various theaters in the United States such as La Mama and Yale University as well as internationally in Bogotá, Colombia. She works at IATI Theater, one of the oldest Latinx theaters in NYC. She is currently working on translations of Latinx artists in hopes of introducing them to English-speaking audiences.