Ceremony

Am new to the Fringe Festival and am so glad I picked Michael's show as my first event. Extremely well written, acted and directed. So impressed...I was immersed in his narrative start to finish. I loved it.... full review

I highly recommend this show. It is by turns hilarious and touching. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Michael Kass is a truly gifted writer and performer. He doesn't simply tell you a story, he takes you on a journey. Don't miss your chance to see this!... full review

As Michael Kass put it himself at the end of his show "Holy Shit Balls!", this is a solo show that casually invites it's audience on a wild ride full of heart, space aliens, ex-girlfriends, and one awesome punch to the gut that makes you want to vomit... but that's a good thing. This incredible journey of self discovery is a polished solo show that blends the most basic elements of mime, set design, and creative soundscape to create a show that will have you on the edge of your seat, leaning in, hanging on Kass' every word. CEREMONY is a show that is not to be missed, and one that is extremely deserving of a great run. Take a bucket, you might need it :) Thanks for sharing your story Michael. ... full review

Kass' storytelling reminded me of a tribal elder, standing in the center of a gathering of his tribe as he led them through the images of his journey and the lessons learned. The mental images his words created were crystal clear. I could feel his emotions, his fear and his ultimate victory. This is a not to be missed show. For the rest of my review, check out Examiner.com.... full review

"Ceremony" is well delivered, honest and heartfelt . It's always exciting to see a show that's highly theatrical with lots of technical bells and whistles, but sometimes the most powerful experiences can be a group of people listening to someone onstage, simply tell a story. It felt like we as an audience were included on the journey and I left having a sense of community. ... full review

When I hear the words "solo show" I have to admit that some part of me feels like it shrivels up in fear. I associate these types of shows with whininess, self-aggrandizing types looking for agents, attention-seeking above all, doing anything but put on a show for other people. If Ceremony hadn't been about an interesting subject matter, I may not have seen it, which would really have been a mistake on my part. A big mistake. Michael Kass is, first and foremost, a very talented storyteller. Sure, he's got a few first-world problems, but his natural charm and self-deprecating humor wins you over from the start and even when he does something you already know, on some level, isn't going to turn out well, you're still rooting for everything to... full review

This show was great! It was honest and heartfelt and sweet. With out being schmaltzy or self indulgent. Michael Kass takes us through his childhood up to his adulthood with whit humor, and emotion. The story is intimate, and moves along quickly leaving the viewer wanting more. More!... full review

This show was the most moving performance I've ever seen on stage (and I have seen a great many). It's a story about losing your mind and finding yourself (but not necessarily in that order) that remained surprisingly hilarious, given the subject matter. It was beautifully acted and written... with excellent sound direction. I truly felt Kass' emotion throughout. It was obvious that the experience had a profound effect on him, and he effectively projected this onto his audience with a story that was both incredibly engaging and brutally honest. I wish more shows were like this. You must see Ceremony.... full review

If you are seeing just one show this Fringe Festival, this is the one to choose. Kass, an award-winning storyteller familiar from The Moth Grandslam and other venues, brings the audience along on an indescribable journey that begins in Washington, DC and culminates in the Andes of Peru. Touching, poignant, laugh-out-loud funny, and ultimately beautiful, Kass's inspiring story will appeal to people of all stripes, and anybody who has ever pondered "is this what I want out of life?". Through crisp writing, sharp direction, and impeccable sound design, Kass and company remind you of just how magical theater can be, as they transport the audience to a distant world that is simultaneously completely familiar and totally alien. DEFINITELY A... full review

It's proving hard to write a review that doesn't reek of cheese. I laughed and cried and barely budged an inch. Raw, engrossing and inspired, Michael's honesty and humor are all his own and yet, his journey is universal. He's a kick ass storyteller. Go see and hear and remember. Go. You'll be glad you did. Congrats Mike!... full review