Sam Shaber: Life, Death, and Duran Duran
Reviewed by Julia Stier
The Ruby Theatre at The Complex Hollywood (Hollywood Fringe Festival)
Through June 21
Sam Shaber has known a lot of joy and a lot of pain. She’s shared her music with thousands and she’s met her soul mate — but she has also lost friends and a father well before their time. In this intimate one-woman show — co-written by Shaber and Lynn Ferguson and directed by Ferguson — she shares stories from her life, tied together by her original songs. Her narrative extends from her life as a young girl whose world revolved around Duran Duran to her experience as a mature woman dealing with death. What seemed important to her as a teen is contrasted with the harsh realities she has had to face as an adult.
The highlight of this show is definitely the music. A seasoned singer-songwriter, Shaber has a way of embedding poetry in her music, combining her memories with melodies, and creating tales that touch the heart. While her anecdotes are interesting, engaging and heartbreaking, it is the songs that make this show shine. And Shaber herself is just so likeable. With her bright pink hair (yep, that’s real, it’s not just for the poster ), wide smile, and bright blue eyes, she lights up the stage, and looks right at home up there with her guitar.
Shaber manages to share these painful memories from her past without focusing on the negative. She finds light and optimism in each one,and passes on a message of hope. Furthermore, the trust she puts in her audiences as receivers of her story makes it feel like a privilege to be invited in to listen. She is incredibly honest, which makes it impossible not to be affected.
The Ruby Theatre at The Complex Hollywood, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd.; Thursday at 10:30 p.m.; through June 21st. samshaber.com/lifedeathduranduran. Running time: 55 minutes.
