The Reviewer Revels in "Wishful Drinking"

I have decided to make a brief departure from films to quickly review Carrie Fisher's one woman show...Wishful Drinking which is being performed at the Seattle Repertory Theater until May 9. It is a riot. I loved it. Carrie is hilarious and her life is the epitome of tragicomedy but don't let that fool you. She brings delicious, biting satire to every anecdote, accompanied by simple visual aids. In her show, Miss Fisher covers topics ranging from: a Q & A with the audience about finding her good friend dead in her bed. Someone asked..."Did he smell?" She thought it was weird but she seemed to love it. She also discussed her childhood and what it was like growing up as the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. From there that led to a family tree tracing the elements of Hollywood Incest. She also discussed being in a nightclub act with her mother as a teenager and studying acting in London. Of course, the 1st act culminates with her discussing the role that made her famous (or infamous depending on how you look at it) Princess Leia in Star Wars and as she mentions. "Why else would you any of you be here unless you saw Star Wars?" She describes the traumas of what the role has brought to her, from being an action figure to an 8 foot tall sex toy made of concrete. But, the funniest was showing off an embarrassingly revealing figurine of her in the gold bikini. I'll just say "galaxy snatch" and you imagine the rest.

The 2nd act is more poignant and darker, but no less funny, as Miss Fisher describes being an addict and suffering from Bi-Polar Disorder. As with everything, her rapier wit and hilarious metaphors make one feel less sorry for her, but with no less compassion. She has a hard, complex life but she doesn't want your pity. Listening to her describe her life situations sounds at times like the theater of the absurd but as she put it, "just imagine the stories I haven't told you."

It has been awhile since I went to the theater and was inspired and continued to smile long after the show ended. I could see it again. And so, I urge all of you dear readers to see it as well. Run...do not walk. You will not regret it. I give Wishful Drinking 5 stars.