KC Fringe "Evolution" review by sakuragirl

I want to, like, you know, like this guy.

Rating: 3

Evolution

KC Fringe Festival

Evolution is a true story of a transgender person's journey throughout the South.  Written and performed by Roman Rimer, this tale recounts the fears he came face-to-face with and the prejudices he sought to erase.

Rimer began with an introduction about himself, explaining that he is transgender, and how he grew up confused about his sexual identity.  The introduction did not seem to be scripted at all, so when he started speaking about his travels, I was a little thrown off because I expected a transition (verbal or with music) to explain that he was starting the story.

The story begins with his decision to perform LGBTQA outreach work with students in various communities where Christianity dominates the moral compass of people's lives.  Rimer sought to speak with everyone he met – even those he passed by on the street.  Traveling from Texas to Virginia, his fear of being shut down by rednecks gave him a strong will and determination to connect with others despite his uniqueness.  Although I was inspired by Rimer's ability to put himself out there in unfamiliar territory, I could not help but be distracted by his over-use of filler words and his propensity for the floor on which he stood.

I was surprised to hear that this show had a director.  An effective director would have stopped Rimer from staring at the floor.  A creative director would have asked him to show other ways of expressing anxiety (hands to temples = distress).  Rimer rarely wandered away from stage center of the platform and the one moment where he jogged through the audience provided a much-needed change to the rhythm of the piece.

Rimer's very casual way of speech was somewhat disappointing.  Although it was easy to understand him, I kept wondering if he was working from an outline or a shaky script.  Either way, it is a second draft of what he has the potential of performing.  Rimer also had the need to keep reminding the audience that he was constantly "scared" and "afraid" to the point I was emotionally unaffected.  His eagerness, however, was very endearing and I enjoyed his humorous outlooks on the awkward situations he found himself in.  My favorite moments included his observations of being at a college dorm, which was, "…a recipe for disaster and awesome gay sex," as well as his one night stand with a man in a leather store where his vegetarian views did not make him stray from the inevitable - "you never know what you're capable of."

This reviewer tends to avoid one-man shows due to a fear of being bored.  I prefer seeing interaction between characters and the rise and fall of relationships.  Being an audience member of "Evolution" felt like hearing your friend talk for a full hour without interruptions.  You're interested in listening because he's your friend, but at times you want him to pause and take a quiet walk outdoors.  Rimer should be proud of his work and audiences should hear his story; however, I think, like, he should, you know, write a clearer script and get some advice on direction.