Review - tenderpits (sh+sh=gold and FRIGID New York)

By Byrne Harrison
Photo provided by FRIGID New York

Anthony Johnston and Nathan Schwartz, the team responsible for last year's quirky and charming, Art's Heart, at FringeNYC, return with the equally offbeat play, tenderpits.

How best to describe tenderpits? A Canadian coming-of-age tale featuring a drunken moose. A show about a boy wizard who discovers that diapers and videogames make a useful combination. An opportunity for Johnston to sing a song from The Little Mermaid and set up a funny Jesus-related sight gag. A story about finding yourself and hopefully finding love. As the saying goes, it's all this and more.

Johnston's character in this one-man show, an awkward Canadian man-child who's trying to make it in New York, is sweetly endearing, but at the same time, you probably wouldn't want to sit next to him on the subway (the diaper being of primary concern). Put him onstage, however, and he becomes a fascinating character to watch and interact with (Johnston disregards the fourth wall quite often).

While tenderpits may be somewhat difficult to categorize, it is funny, strange (in a good way), and above all entertaining. Schwartz's direction is effective, keeping the somewhat disjointed play on the right path. Above all, it is an effective showcase for the extremely talented Anthony Johnston. Without a doubt, I am looking forward to the next production by this creative team.

tenderpits
Created by sh+sh=gold
Performed by Anthony Johnston
Directed by Nathan Schwartz
Video by Chmaj

UNDER St. Marks
94 St. Marks Place

Wed 2/24 - 9:00 PM
Sat 2/27 - 5:30 PM
Tue 3/02 - 6:00 PM
Sat 3/06 - 1:00 PM
Sun 3/07 - 5:30 PM