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James Braly’s one-man show, “Life in a Marital Institution: 20 years of monogamy in one terrifying hour” is terrific. He’s fast, funny, warm, clever, insightful, and makes you feel like you were in the room when the events he shares took place. Most of all, he’s the kind of guy you’d want to have a beer with. You get all that from his hour-long intimate monologue in the unbelievably uncomfortable Soho Playhouse (through August 31st.)
Braly’s been compared to Spalding Gray, and he’s got that same kind of effortless delivery. He’s edgy without being pretentious, and his timing is impeccable.
While we haven’t actually had a beer, I have loved all the stories I’ve heard Braly tell at The Moth, where he’s the only person ever to win a grand story slams twice. I’ve told a tale or two on the Moth stage, and any time Braly shows up, you know he’s the night’s winner, hands down. He blogs too.
If only they could tone down the uncomfortably harsh stage lighting and install human-body-friendly theatre seats, Life in a Marital Institution would be a comfortable experience too.
I saw the show with a friend who reviews plays for a major news organization. The PR people, who don’t seem to have a clue, put us, and all the other press way in the back of the theatre. I believe the reason reviewers usually get close seats is so they can see and hear what they are trying to review. Doh. As usual, clueless flacks can do more harm than good.