This is about as strong an opening as the Octknowber series could get!
Jon Bennett is a world-renowned fringe performer. He’s a staple of Cincinnati’s Fringe Festival, a viral sensation, and one of the most hilarious yet introspective people I’ve ever met. I’m a big fan, if you can’t tell.
American’t chronicles his tour and extended stay in the U.S., specifically Portland, Oregon. Jon shares stories about his COVID-19 experience, lockdowns, the TSA, falling in love with the weirdest person I’ve ever heard described, getting married, and later divorcing that same person. Somehow, he wraps it all into a one-hour story that is gut-bustingly funny, deeply personal, and surprisingly resonant.
The technical elements are sparse, consisting mainly of a very detailed PowerPoint presentation and some audio and video recordings. Bennett’s comedic style is self-deprecating but full of insights and jokes about the differences between Australia and America. He also shares his run-ins with immigration enforcement and delivers a frantic monologue about American politics that is humorous, dark, and somewhat eye-opening.
I will also say that Bennett has changed some of the material since I last saw the show. His divorce from Gina is a new addition, although he speaks of her as fondly and respectfully as ever. He has also added resources for those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. The show gets dark at times, and Bennett doesn’t sugarcoat the harder parts of his story. But those moments are interspersed with the reasons he didn’t go through with a tragedy and how he got help.
Calling this inspiring might be a bit of a stretch, but it is hilarious, full of heart and very well written and performed.
This is only the first stretch of Bennett’s Cincinnati shows – October 21 through Oct 31–or what he calls a “Jon-a-thon”–and the first installment of Know Theatre’s OctKnowber Nights. Both are excellent ways to support the arts and see some great new shows!
There’s More Opportunities to See Jon Bennett and OctKNOWber Night Events
OctKnowber continues at Know Theatre! Click here for tickets and the full schedule.
Jon Bennett’s remaining shows are at Gabriel’s Corner, which is 1425 Sycamore St on the Corner of Liberty & Sycamore Cincinnati, OH. If you can’t tell from the names, these shows are intended for adults. Viewer discretion is advised. Tickets are available HERE
- Pretending Things Are A C*ck * Friday • 7:00 PM
- Fire in the Meth Lab * Saturday • 7:00 PM
- Dad (Hates) Jokes * Sunday • 2:00 PM
- How I Learned to Hug * Thu, Oct 29 • 7:00 PM (Followed by Danitza Piper’s 4.5 Stars or Things I’ve Learned While Dating in My 20s)
- Playing With Men * Fri, Oct 30 • 7:00 PM
- Jon Bennett’s Spooky Special * Sat, Oct 31 • 5:00 PM
