REVIEW: Unsolicited: Good Advice Gone Dad

Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)

Genre: Theatre—Comedy, Sketch Comedy/Improv, Storytelling/Solo Show

Run Time: 60 mins

Venue: The Staircase | Bright Room

Kristi Boulton is back again with more relatable, endearing and hilarious anecdotes from her life after last year’s Fringe smash hit The Underwear Fairy (And Other Love Stories) in Unsolicited: Good Advice Gone Dad.

This time, Boulton’s subject is her father and his random sage-like wisdoms that occur at the most inopportune, awkward or emotional times during her childhood and adolescence. Boulton expertly showcases her wordsmith abilities, describing situations with details so precise audiences could visual with ease. She also utilizes a carefully curated series of images that enhance her narrative including the “Five Categories of Advice” with each category (relating to life, death, education, sex and…Jesus?) linked to one of her anecdotes. There’s even a moment where Boulton reflects that the show may be less about dad advice and more about how ships such as the Titanic and Disney cruise lines have shaped her as a person.

Boulton’s father and his advice are described lovingly and humorously and like with most things in life, retrospectively, the advice does resonate. As her stories take a slight tonal shift, she allows for the emotional beats to have their moment and then concludes with a very powerful reminder to live life abundantly. Boulton embodies this mantra and spirit as both a performer and storyteller. A delightful and engaging performance from start to finish, my advice is to add this to your must-see list.