REVIEW: “Kill Me Now” – The Teaching Confessions of an Undercover Creative

Tammy McLeod-Casey is a self-described “reluctant teacher” whose career has taken many twists, turns and travels over the past 25 years. She teaches students with emotional and behavioral needs and proves, throughout her one-woman show, that teaching is tiring and thankless and still one of the most rewarding experiences out there.

McLeod-Casey is quirky, rebellious and energetic as an educator but doesn't seem to fit in anywhere, much like her crass, cruel and troubled students. She suffers verbal and physical abuse. She tries to reach her students only to be met with distain and poor reports for years. 

Her stories are crafted on a flip chart easel and each segment is introduced with a music cue that, unfortunately, leads to wasted time between stories. Thankfully, the easel concept keeps McLeod-Casey on track and gives her frantic energy some structure. With some editing to the script and tightening the performance, Kill Me Now would flow better and keep focus on the stories themselves rather than on the random dancing and lip syncing up and down the stage. 

Ultimately, anyone in the education field will find this relatable and many in Friday's audience relished in her descriptive and humorous segments. There's also a wonderful moment where McLeod-Casey shows gratitude for her years with her “wayward kids” and acknowledges their impact on her life. Definitely an eye-opening, and clearly, therapeutic piece of solo storytelling.