Is This Thing On?
For me, there’s something about one-person shows that evokes so much in me. Especially when I’m watching something autobiographical. Some shows bring out more, and Is This Thing On? is one of those shows. Is This Thing On? is a one hour show by Adam Bradley, and one that was something completely eye opening and beautiful. There was so much to this play…there were moments to laugh, moments to cringe out, moments to cry, and so much more. I definitely ran the gamut of emotions when I was watching this play, something that always makes me love a play more. I’ve seen plenty of one-person shows, but this one really stood out to me.
When life is happening in front of you onstage, it’s amazing. It’s a test…can you keep up with what’s going on? But that’s what makes it special. And watching Adam was definitely special. From a non-linear start, to very raw storytelling, we got a lot of laughs, and a lot of deep hurt. I loved getting to look through a window into Adam’s life. I loved that we got to see the very roots of where he went in life, up to where he ended up when this show came to him. It was a speedy watch of him growing up, but an amazing watch nonetheless.
Something I absolutely loved was Adam’s talent at making things humorous. I’ve been in theatre for a long time, and I know that’s a rare gift. There was so much that wasn’t funny in Is This Thing On?, but Adam was able to sort of turn it around. We see him go through initiation rites at college to get into an acappella group. Not funny. Made funny. We see him getting pulled over and escaping a drunk driving charge. Not funny. Made funny. There was so much in this hour long show that made me laugh, even if I knew I probably shouldn’t be laughing at it. Adam gave that gift to us, and it was incredible.
Just like in life, we met so many people that Adam met along the way. And it wasn’t just the “important” people. Random people were also interjected into this show. I think that’s so important when we’re looking at a play like this. It makes it more real to me. There are main characters in all of our lives, but there are also side characters. When telling a story about ourselves, it’s awe inspiring to see someone maybe not so necessary to the story popping up. It reminds me that I’m watching someone’s life.
Adam’s use of music to move the story along was really beautiful. We see him as a young boy, as a teenager, playing the piano. It was his first love, and really started his life. I think his performance in a talent show was a start to things. I absolutely loved that we got to hear some of his original songs. Adam talks about trying to pursue the life of a singer/songwriter, and how difficult that is. Personally, I thought his songs were absolutely jaw dropping. He has a really lovely voice, and his songs had so much emotion in them. It was a treat to hear some of them.
There is so much bravery that Adam demonstrates in this show. He talks about so much, some of which is a bit controversial. I hate to say that being Jewish falls under that header, but it does…and Adam talks about it anyway. The way he commanded the ins and outs of that are really spectacular. There’s the bravery of talking about losing his mother, something that is always hard to talk about, but Adam did for us anyway. We hear all about the highs and the lows, many of which are hard to hear, and I imagine very hard for Adam to say. But he does so anyway…both for himself, and for us.
All of this comes down to one major thing…Adam trying to find his place in the world. We see it from the earliest parts of his life, when he’s talking about watching an old VHS of Oliver as a child. I would never imagine where the show was heading from that start. But Adam knew. Everything, even the surprises, just sent him further and further. There were bad times, of course, but there were good times, too. I think that’s the most important part in a life story. And honestly, as an audience member, I think Adam has definitely found his place in the world.
This is all being done by someone who hasn’t done it before. Is This Thing On? is an entrance from Adam, and one that’s intense and beautiful and real. One-person shows definitely aren’t easy. I don’t think anyone wakes up and goes, “I’m going to write a one-person show!” But Adam did a remarkable job at creating something for everyone. Adam was propelled by grief to create something really exquisite, and it was a delight to watch. This is an amazing show…and truly, Adam has found his place.
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