Me, My Stuff and I: A Multimedia Comedy about Defining Your Life with Meaning, Not Stuff
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
2 February 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
Having been a talent buyer and promoter for nineteen years, I think I have a fair idea of what venue managers and talent bookers look for in the way of shows for their seasons. That's why it is a pleasure for me to recommend Barry Smith both as a person and a performer for your consideration.
I first met Barry shortly after taking over the top position at the Wheeler Opera House in October 2005. Since then, we have worked with Barry on three occasions, and always look forward to the next one. Barry travels the globe with his one-man shows (All Roads Lead To Your Own Path/Jesus In Montana, American Squatter and Me, Myself and I/Barry Smith's Baby Book), and in doing so has the wit to observe what we as buyers and marketers of talent have to deal with every day, on every show. Besides always being sure to put the very best craft possible on the stage, Barry knows that he has to be a partner with the venue and make it easy for all concerned - tech, publicity media, and administration.
Some people like to think of Barry as the Spalding Gray for this generation. I don't think that does credit to either man, but they do share an ability to probe into some of the weirder corners of life, make it hugely identifiable and laugh-out-loud funny, and leave you looking forward to the artist's next visit to your town. Barry's world view is his very own, and once you tap into it, you'll understand why he's traveled so far as a performer in so short a time. But you have to tap into it, and that means you have to see it - and trust me, it truly is worth the time.
As you can by now tell, it's easy for me to put Barry forward from all facets of live event presenting. In my experience that's a rarity, and I truly believe making an investment in this artist now will pay big dividends in your presenting future.
Sincerely,
Gram Slaton
Executive Director
Wheeler Opera House
Aspen, CO
- Gram Slaton, Executive Director
February 24, 2009
Intrepid Theatre Company Society of Victoria BC has had the great pleasure of presenting Barry Smith of Aspen, CO at two of our events in recent years – the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival, which programmed American Squatter in 2007, and the 2006 Uno Festival of Solo Performance (aka Uno Fest) where we were pleased to introduce our audiences to Barry’s work with Jesus in Montana, which was a critical and audience favourite at this international festival.
As the curator of an annual one-person-show festival, I see hundreds of solo shows a year, and it will probably not surprise you to know that ninety-five percent of them are identical. It is with delight and not a small amount of relief that Barry’s work first came to my attention. He is a confident, relaxed performer who immediately puts the audience at ease, he’s very funny, his “self- documentarian” approach to personal storytelling is totally unique and engaging, and most importantly, he has something to say and does it in such a way so that it hardly hurts at all – except where he wants it to.
Aside from his many commendable qualities as a performer and fresh, original voice, Barry is a easy-going, generous, good guy, who is fun and pleasant to have around.
I’d be happy to speak to you in person about Barry’s shows if you wish to call me at (250)383- 2663. I am a big fan.
Sincerely Janet Munsil Producer, Intrepid Theatre
Producers of the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival & the Uno Festival of Solo Performance - Janet Munsil, Producer
February 3, 2009
This is a letter of recommendation in favor of Barry Smith. His work bar none is some of the best theatre that is being produced and presented on the Fringe Theatre circuit in North America to date. His unique brand of theatre delivery is compelling and engaging. For this reason I curated his show “All Roads Lead To Your Own Path” (billed as “Jesus in Montana - Adventures in a Doomsday Cult”) into our Fringe Theatre Season 2008/2009 to critical acclaim. His latest work Barry Smith's Baby Book - A Grownup Comedy About My Stuff, is highly anticipated to be presented at this year's Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. We all look forward to working with Barry as his star rises across Canada and the United States. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Thomas Scott B.A. M.A.
Program Director
Fringe Theatre Adventures
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Thomas Scott, Program Director
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
"WHO saves this stuff?" That's the question at the heart of ME, MY STUFF AND I, a multi-media, solo, autobiographical comedy about defining your life with meaning, not stuff. This disturbingly funny and inspiring comedy examines how we hold on to our memories as a way of defining ourselves.
Employing a unique mix of comedy, monologue and multi-media, as well as a lifetime of bizarre experience, Barry Smith "reinvents the solo confessional memoir," says the Edmonton Journal. "Think David Sedaris and Spalding Gray with a whole lot of audio and visual aids," says The Aspen Times.
Barry Smiths first solo show, "Jesus in Montana: Adventures in a Doomsday Cult," made a stunning debut, winning Outstanding Solo Show at the 2005 New York International Fringe Festival and later Best of Fest at the 2007 Winnipeg Fringe. His second solo comedy, "American Squatter," won multiple awards and critical acclaim throughout North America, and Smiths latest work, Barry Smiths Baby Book, continues to tour the U.S. and Canada following its debut at the Montreal International Fringe Festival.
In addition to live performance, Barry Smith has been writing his weekly humor column, "Irrelativity," for The Aspen Times for 15 years, entertaining his readers with adventures in pursuit of the obvious, the irreverent and the absurd. Smith has also written and directed a number of short comedy films, released a radio sketch comedy CD, published (against all advice) a book of poetry and churned out some breathtaking to do lists.
Hailed by New York Magazine as an energetic and versatile raconteur, Barry Smith lives and writes in Aspen, Colorado.
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