by Mallory Moad
The Rogue Festival is here! It is taking place March 1-9 in the Tower District of Fresno. Here is another Rogue show review, with many more to come over the next few days! You will be able to find all of our reviews, and our performer preview articles, and our article about Rogue 2024 in our Rogue Festival section here at KRL, and you can find more Rogue Festival information on our Rogue event page over on KRL News! There you will find press releases and extra info! You can also go to the Rogue Festival website for more info and to purchase tickets.
Kurt Fitzpatrick is an actor. He’s also the survivor of cancer. But The Jester of All Maladies, Kurt’s solo show, is neither a disease-of-the-month chronicle nor a therapy show (in which the audience is subjected to the performer’s trials and tribulations in self-serving detail). What it is, is a side-splitting, thought-provoking celebration of living, and the events and people in Kurt’s journey that have allowed him to remain that way. 
This is more about succeeding than just surviving. The topic could come off as heavy but Kurt’s approach is buoyant. His stories range from amusing to flat-out hilarious but at the same time, he never negates the seriousness of a catastrophic illness: “Cancer is scarier than the transit system in Orlando!” Energetic and animated, this is a performer who is a naturally funny guy, not a guy who is working hard to be funny. His dance on the New Jersey Turnpike and impression of Mr. T are worth the price of admission.
Kurt makes use of projected photographs, taken by his friend, Howard (who lives in the basement of his building) as illustrations. Some are humorous, some are poignant but all drive a point home. Throw in references to TV shows and movies, acting accomplishments, the things doctors say, and a comparison with the lyrics of a Billy Joel tune, and a cat watching a bird, and you’ve got one heck of a well-balanced, entertaining yet moving take on a horrendous time in one man’s life.
Remaining performances are at Spectrum Art Gallery, 608 E Olive Ave.
Sunday, March 3, 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.
If you love theatre, be sure to check out Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.
Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.
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