By Ernest Kearney — Nick Pupo oughta be locked up behind the concrete-lined granite and steel-reinforced walls of Fort Knox because he is 24-carat comic gold. Flashing a practiced Lenny Bruce smirk, Pupo works his audience with a skillfulness that harkens back to Sahl, Newhart, and Benny. I kid you not, for a connoisseur of comedy witnessing the finesse and vigor of Pupo’s performance was reminiscent of watching the film which showed Jackson Pollock painting. Then there was his show, Addicted, which did everything an audience wants a show to do. But though it hit all the bases, it wasn’t a home run. The show works because Pupo and Director Brett Johnson have worked it.
Addicted isn’t a bad show, it’s just too much show, and that excess is smothering the tale at its core, of a friendship destroyed by drug abuse. Pupo and Johnson need to clear some excess to grant that story some clarity. Then Pupo will have a great show in which to put his great performance.
A Platinum Medal for Pupo now, and for the show to come.
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Addicted is playing at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2023 at The Broadwater (Studio), in Hollywood.
ADDED SHOWS: 6/29 @ 9:30PM AND 6/30 @ 6:30PM
For Hollywood Fringe Festival Details, Addicted Show Information, and Tickets Click HERE.
