If you liked Barry Smith’s “Jesus in Montana” at last year’s Rogue Fest, I think you’ll like “American Squatter.” Barry has a fun style - he tells stories of really bizarre situations, but in a matter-of-fact and earnest way, and in the end, even that not-so-bizarre parts of his stories become really funny.

To read the full review (and other reviews!), visit http://www.fresnoundercurrent.net/rogue_reviews

This show stands on its own (it is not a pre-show to Jesus in Montana, it is not a post-show to Jesus in Montana), it is ANOTHER show by the same performer, Barry Smith, presented to a Packed House, standing room only, people waiting in line for over an hour to make sure they get a seat!

Barry has proved himself as a fantastic artist. He has a ready made audience. All he has to do is show up - and people will wait to see what he has for us this year! He has a formula that works. He uses a multi-media presentation, pictures and home movies from when he was a kid, and he is not at all shy about sharing his life: the good, bad, ugly, dirty, or just plain embarrassing - and it’s all hilarious!

To say that because the presentation is similar to last years performance somehow makes it weak is like saying, “I’ve seen a play before - they’re all pretty much the same, aren’t they? Actors go to and fro on stage, laughing one minute, crying another - at the end they all take a bow, right?” How many plays would you miss if that’s how you see it? The STORY is what changes from one play to the next, one popular song to another, or one poem to another.

The STORY is the thing - and this story had it’s audience laughing until they cried!

I am quite frankly appalled that someone (perhaps I only mean the first reviewer) who puts himself out there as someone who knows about art, as someone with some expertise could be so cold and see so little of what was actually there!

I hope that the discussion around Barry’s performance this year gets incredibly heated - as it ought to under the circumstances. I remember posting something I’d written online once and having the conversation get really stirred up around it. People were very excited to either bash it or praise it, and I felt like I was in the middle of a war zone, until someone gently pointed out that at least they were discussing it - they wouldn’t soon forget me.

Barry is far from forgettable!!! I hope that people who loved his show, will come in here and talk about how much they loved his show, and wonder like I do, “Who is this steph person?”

Leisl, I stick with what I said, which only echo my feelings as I watched the show.

It’s not like “I’ve seen a play once, why see one again.” It’s exactly “I’ve seen Barry stand downstage right and talk into a microphone and click through a power-point presentation before.

The newness and phenomenon of seeing the mixture of Barry, his writing, and the multi-media was part of the enjoyment last year, like starting a new relationship for the first time.

I’m not saying this show was bad…frankly, I think Barry does a better job performing this show than “Jesus in Montana.”

Still, with so many variables exactly the same, this could have easily been hour 1 of a 2 hour show, the second half being “Jesus in Montana.”

I stand by my comments!

(and you full well know my name, you don’t have to call me ‘the first poster,’ silly! Now go thrill crowds with your ravishing poetry!)

Hi, it’s me, Barry, the guy who does American Squatter.

I’m commenting on my own show to let you know that there’s..standby all caps…

AN EXTRA ADDED PERFORMANCE OF AMERICAN SQUATTER

FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 5:30 PM AT THE STARLINE THEATRE!

(end all caps)

I’ll still be doing my scheduled 10:00 show later that night. LIke, 3 and a half hours later.

Please spread the word. Thanks.

Barry Smith
www.barrysmith.com