Everyone’s coming-out story is different. Some come out to accepting families who offer support and some are left abandoned by those that they felt close enough to to share their most intimate secret. But regardless of how the news is received, everyone who comes out goes through a range of feelings and emotions to get to who they are, and it is that journey that choreographer Jakob Karr brilliantly brings to the stage in “Ain’t Done Bad.”
Karr, who appeared on the sixth season of “So you Think You Can Dance,” leads a stellar cast of dancers (Lauren Cannon, Adrian Lee, Jordan Lombardi, Ian Spring, Reed Tankersley and Tanner Wilson) as a man who leaves his home after coming out to his family to find his authentic self. Karr takes inspiration from the Reba McEntire song “Fancy” and, set to the music of openly gay country singer Orville Peck, dances his way through leaving his home in a small town to see what the city has to offer him. There he experiences gay culture, meets friends, has sex, goes on dates and falls in love.
The bare stage and simple costumes — the guys wear overalls and the girls wear simple dresses — not only makes it feel like you are watching “Grapes of Wrath” told through dance but it leaves the stage with nothing much to focus on except the fantastic choreography that tells the emotional story of a man who wants to be loved and accepted for who he is. “Ain’t Done Bad” isn’t just one of the best Fringe shows I’ve seen this year but one of the best shows I’ve seen period. Do not miss this one.
“Ain’t Done Bad” plays in the Silver Venue through May 30. For more information visit OrlandoFringe.org.
