Hank Curry brings laughter to ‘Confusion’ in NYC’s United Solo Festival

Now in its thirteenth year, United Solo Festival is back at NYC’s Theatre Row through November 20, with dozens of shows from across the country and around the globe. For the 2022 season, the world’s largest solo theater festival is featuring nearly two months of performances, under the motto “One performer + One Story + One audience = United Solo.” Most are for one night only (a few have an additional date), so don’t hesitate to get your tickets while you can.

I was happy to have marked my calendar well in advance for the NYC debut of Philadelphia-based writer and performer Hank Curry and his one-man show Confusion. Presented in the format of a non-stop series of pantomime sketches, the artist brought his mastery of physical comedy to the bare stage as he explored the minor obstacles we all face through his hilarious portrayals of a variety of characters, both male and female, dealing with the unexpected challenges of everyday life.

With the use of a rolling suitcase, some well-chosen props, and a few quick costume changes, Curry took the audience on a slapstick journey filled with confused and harried facial expressions, skillfully executed pratfalls, and vocalized sound effects. He spoofed everything from a man trying to answer a ringing phone to a woman applying make-up that makes her sneeze and getting her shoe stuck on the sidewalk, to an old man trying to read a book while a bee buzzes around him and a clumsy conductor who can’t seem to set up his music stand, continuously drops his sheet music, and has a musician who is completely out of tune and off tempo – but keeps smiling and nodding to the audience anyway.

The transitions between characters were fluid, the comical delivery was expert, and the situations were familiar and universal, leaving everyone laughing and recognizing our own risible behavior in the witty skits. If you missed the ridiculously talented Hank Curry this time, be sure to catch future performances of Confusion or any of his other original funny shows. If you were there, don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorites in the United Solo Festival; this year’s award winners will be announced at the closing gala on Sunday, November 20.

Running Time: Approximately 30 minutes, without intermission.

Confusion played at 8:30 pm, on Friday, October 21, 2022, at United Solo Festival, performing at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, NYC. For the complete list of upcoming shows in the 13th Annual United Solo Festival, playing through November 20, 2022, go online.

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