The Marsh San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)
The Marsh presents Don Reed in East 14th: Tales of a Reluctant Player. This hilarious and poignant solo show is the story of Reed's boyhood in 1970s Oakland, torn between his strict, church-going mother's upbringing and his admiration of his father, a pimp. East 14th was an Off-Broadway hit, nominated for two 2008 NAACP Theatre Awards.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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Laughter is the best medicine! Not only did I get my laugh on Don Reed's story and music fed my soul! I enjoyed the show so much
I came back 2 nights later and I brought my mother. She loved it
too!
Don Reed takes us on a wild, fun, and eventful journey into his past with his dynamic performance in East 14th.
By the time the play is done, you know each character by name, face, and body movements. I laughed until my stomach ached and there was still more laughter left!
Please go and see this play, but be advised it's not for the prudent folks. Expect adult language and sexual themes.
Great play! Don Reed is super talented!
Riveting, wry, really funny, and touching- a superb piece and a stellar performance. Don Reed's one-man show is everything you want at the theatre, interweaving crisp writing with arrestingly vibrant presentation. Run to this show!
This was a real trip back to the 70's in East Oakland. My husband and I live there now so it made it that much more interesting. Basically it is a tale of Don's life growing up with a Father who was a Pimp and a Mother who was much more conservative. It was very funny and entertaining, with lots of voices and stories that were wild, but believable. How three boys came out of that really crazy scene in the 70's and survived with lots to tell. Also we sat behind Don Reeds mother and sister, which was quite a thrill!
Every life has its story, responsibly chosen or not; and each is poignant unto itself. What makes Don Reed's story-telling worth attending is the humanity with which he displays the effect and affect relation between the person and his/her cultural environment. I very much recommend it.
LOVED IT!
Don is talented! I laughed throughout the show. I'm spreading the word to friends and expect I'll go enjoy the show again before he leaves The Marsh. Also, the venue is intimate and comfortable. Spork, the restaurant next door to The Marsh has excellent food too. Make a night of it!
If you haven't seen any shows this year, it's not too late. This is the show you have to see. It was funny, irreverent, witty and insightful. Don Reed relates to the audience and draws them into his experience. I've been 3 times and hope to get in another show while it is still here.
Don Reed did an AMAZING performance about his upbringing in Oakland. He was very consistent in his imitations of his parents, brothers, and other people in his childhood. My friend and I were glued to his performance. Awesome story line and very entertaining. Loved the music from the 70's. I highly recommend this show.
Obviously a lot of work went into this life story. However 100 minutes without an intermission is stretching it. At times (sorry) it was a drag. The moral at the end was alsmost worth waiting for but not quite. I did'nt enjoy every minute of it. It was OK the acting was fine but a little too much 'in depth' discriptions without a point untill the very end brought it together. By that time I was just too tired and a little board to enjoy it fully.
Really, really enjoyed this show. We written and well performed. Will highly recommend it to my friends. Glad to hear it's been extended through mid-October.
Thank you Don Reed for a genuinely entertaining Sunday afternoon!
Your mimicry – amazingly on point, your dance movements -fantastic, and your storytelling a complex tapestry stitched with stunning failures and poignant triumphs embroidered with finely crafted humor that kept me from falling into empathetic despair.
E 14th Street in Oakland and its varied community have forever been changed in my heart and mind. Bravo, bravo, bravo!
This guy is a brilliant performer. I loved how he highlighted moments of his childhood with classic funk of the 70s; the music I grew up with as a child in Oakland. His characterizations of members of his family were hilarious!
Ladies and Gentlemen, it was a triple header! The best of the Bay, no doubt about it.
#1 - The Headliner, Don Reed's East 14th (true tales of a reluctant player). Don Reed starring as, Don Reed, his daddy, his brother Darryl, his brother Tony, his daddy the PIMP, His momma, step daddy Joe, Waddel and a host of others. Talk about exciting, interesting, enlightening and fun. Don kept the audience riveted to his many characters and his ability to make you forget that it was one man performing. If you don't see any other show this year, get over to the Marsh and see this one. I would definitely nominate it to become a great sitcom. There is enough material to get us through a couple of seasons. Extra special, you can stay after the show and Don will talk with you for a few minutes and take pictures.
2/ The Marsh - It could be confusing with 2 theatres, if it wasn't for the awesome staff the checks each line and makes sure that everyone is directed to the right location.. So what you are actually experiencing is 2 theatres with a cafe in the middle. It isn't enough that you can participate in some really great theatre that is extremely intimate, but the prices are so reasonable. In addition to snacks at the cafe that you can bring into the theatre, you can also get a little nosh in the theatre. I bought a cookie and a cup of Joe for $2. The only little drawback is that the chairs are a wee bit uncomfy. HOWEVER, you can bring some cush for your TUSH. Or if you have the LOOT, why not become a patron. Honor your Great Aunt Hortensia and buy a row of uber comfy theatre seats. Even if you don't have a trust fund, donate a few extra buck if you have it. You really didn't need that extra Designer Coffee before work, did you?
3/ Gold Star Events - I could have paid full price, $20 for a 100 minute extravaganza and it would have been a great deal. I went to Gold Star Events, found out about this show, read the reviews and was hooked and purchased my tickets for $13.50 each (including the surcharge). It went from a great deal to a STUPENDOUS deal. If you haven't done it already... sign up today. It's FREE. Learn about upcoming events at the MARSH and other venues, nationwide. https://www.goldstar.com/join?p=F535272RP
I've never experience the joy of continuous, sincere laughter. Everyone in the audience was laughing hysterically! East 14th lives up to hype. Go see it! Definitely worth the price.
Don is hilarious, poignant and a great entertainer. Having been born and raised in Oakland a few years earlier than Don, I recognized the songs, the areas and the time period. Even the characters seem oddly familiar.
Great show, very talented guy with a great gift of telling his story. Don't walk, but run to the show. It is great.
WOW!! I had a GREAT time at the Don Reed show Friday night. I scored front row, center seats by getting there a bit early, which helped me better appreciate all his fun facial expressions and activity on the floor. I am a native, life long East Bay resident. I don't live in Oakland but spent lots of time there as a child so I can totally relate to the life Don had, the trials and tribulations. We Richmond kids have our own stories. I am recommending this show to all my friends who like humor and reality. Victoria Curtis
Excellent show! Don's love for his family and his hometown permeates the shows script and well-drawn characters. I found the show to be both funny and heartwarming. I've already recommended it to several friends and family members!
Powerful! Poignant! Humorous! Soulful! Master Storyteller!
I went with 5 friends--oh we laughed--I had to wipe tears away.
He will leave you wanting more!
Don Reed's performance was sensational. All the characters he presented were believable and the story was both humorous and heartfelt. Reed is an excellent performer and story teller. I highly recommend this event.
I brought a friend from out of town, and after the show we were both sore from laughing. It surpassed expectations, and I am a long-time fan of the Marsh. East 14th made for a perfect evening, and I'm recommending it to everyone I know.
Thanks to Don Reed for sharing his story with such love, and for his father's vision.
Don Reed drags you into his story and it's one everyone can relate to, even if you didnt grow up on East 14th. But you grew up somewhere and it was confusing and not perfect but you turned out ok, and that's what he's talking about. Unpretentious, funny, sometimes hilarious, not over-done in pathos. . .you'll like it. The theater is small and the show is held over. Really, you should check it out. Better than your sister-in-law reliving her ceasarian, again.
I attended opening night - May 15. This was theater at its best. I normally dislike one man shows, but Don Reed's story, script and acting was insightful and entertaining.
We went opening night and it was great. The Marsh Theatre is petite but the show packs a punch. If you enjoy comedy, if you can relate to trying to find yourself or if you had diabolically different parents, influencing you, or if you grew up near Oakland or love the city and or you are looking for approachable theatre without the costumes, high ticket prices, then GO SEE East 14th!! Bring a friend. We weren't disappointed. We were elavated! Props to Oaktown and to Don Reed. -kcat
Hilarious, makes you love your family just a little bit more.
This was a WONDERFUL performance; Reed is amazingly talented. It is his personal story as well as the story of the 1970s; impossible not to see yourself or someone you know in this show. The show has been extended until October 10th...and I am going to see it again!!
I highly recommend this performance! It is a hilarious and heart-warming coming of age story about growing up in Oakland, CA in the '70s. Very well done!
Raw, honest, poignant, and inspiring. Not to be missed. Go!
What a splendid evening at the theatre. This man gives meaning to the word "Fantastic!" The characters in his true story were over the top and everybody was rolling in the aisles, laughing their heads off. Just when you thought a good laugh and an improbable premise full of stereotypes could not end up being very penetrating, he pulls on your heart strings and takes the story to a whole new level of poignancy. His portrayal of his father's love for his sons had me wiping tears from my eyes. Mr. Reed is brilliant. East 14th is a tribute to Oakland's African-American community while he simultaneously is an ally to the GLBT community. Any reasonable person would agree that requires skill, wisdom and integrity. He's got it all. Run. Don't walk. He's a must see. A real gem.
Warning: if you wear mascara, make sure it's waterproof! You will laugh until you cry. Reed's monologue is beyond wonderful. He renders his amazing personal story in narrative, music, and dance, all steeped in side-splitting humor. Don Reed is an extraordinary performer!
Don Reed puts on a terrific show. Two things I especially liked were the way in which he combines dance moves and facial expressions with his voice and his use of the two ends of Oakland's East 14th Street to show the influences on his life. Strict churchgoing and playing by the rules of the pimp game prove equally demanding.
My Husband and I had a wonderful time. Don Reed was absolutely hilarious! No matter what your background, you will enjoy his comedic history of life growing up in Oakland. I highly recommend it!
Fantastic showmanship and storytelling... what an entertainer....nonstop energy and well thought out and superbly executed story.... music, excellent characters.... even if none of it was true (and I think just about all was)...what a great time I had at this show. I went to an ACT performance in the evening, and let me tell you, this was 10-fold better than the ACT play. I plan on going again and bringing a friend. I'd never heard of Don Reed and took a Goldstar Gamble....it truly paid off. Don Reed is a super talent and with this show, he's hit paydirt (or at least I hope he does). If I'd seen in on Broadway in NY (a la Billy Crystal), I would have been very satisfied. Ok, enough from me, or no one will believe my "testimonial."
Mr. Reed's performance was spectacular..... his recollections bring a very fresh view of the "70's in East Oakland...when actually being there had it's rough, sad, infuriating moments.....Don Reed's p.o.v. is worth a look and a laugh.......I really appreciated it!!!!!!....melanie
Excellent performance! Don Reed really transports you into his world... as foreign as it may be to someone like me. He seamless transitions from character to character and is able to give them each complexity rather than being one-dimensional stereotypes. Overall, the show has a lot of heart. Highly recommended!
Don Reed is a very talented artist. I thoroughly enjoyed his show! I found myself laughing as he told his story. The music was outstanding!!!!
A very funny man, enjoyed the show immensely. Almost 2 hours of monologue, it was a little too long. Parking is tough, but lots of good public transportation which will allow you the opportunity to wander around a up and coming neighborhood.
Super talented guy and great story.
Very talented actor and comedian, for whom this is obviously a very personal project. Great fun and brilliant at sucking you into the world of Oakland in 1970s.
My only negative feedback is that the show was slightly too long (100 mins without intermission) and the Marsh (as lovely as it is) is not comfortable enough for this long a performance.
This was a totally awesome performance. The man will have you doubled over with laughter throughout his performance. You simply can not miss this show!
This show was excellent!! I've seen bad shows at the Marsh so I was reluctant to go back but Don Reed blew me away. He is truly a professional. They could be selling tickets at the double the price and it would still be worth it. Very funny!!
It is rare that you find a movie let alone a play that you and your significant other can enjoy. Yesterday My boyfriend and I found that play as we laughed at Don Reed's amazing journey through the streets of Oakland. His protrayal of his family members and friends made me feel like I was watching them before my very eyes even though the stage was just filled with 2 chairs and one man. If you heart Oakland, jokes based on true stories and want to have a good laugh see it! My boyfriend and I can truly say it can be "Dug by me"
Loved the show. What a great performer! Very funny and very talented. Plus, the theatre is small and intimate, so all the seats had a good view. This show is a steal at the Goldstar price. Hurry to see it before it ends next week!
Very entertaining, lively, creative, and moving. Stellar show.
JM
What a tour de force for Don Reed! His multi-layered performance was amazing! Combining acting, singing, dancing, mimicry, and comedic timing, this one-man show is unparalleled. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially Oaklanders who were there in the 70's (I was!)
Excellence performance...it will bring some happiness to your life.
This is the second time I've seen it and I loved every minute. The venue is perfect though I'm sure Reed could play to a larger house. Especially good for local friends... but probably not their children.
This is a very funny one-man show. Don Reed is a very talented mimic (he plays all the roles of various friends and family members) and a great dancer. My husband and I enjoyed the performance very much and would definitely recommend it to others.
Great performance wonderful story of his life. Ver ypositive
My husband and I are still quoting from the show and laughing when we think about it. It was both funny and Poignant. Don comes across as someone I would love to have as a friend; funny, insightful and intelligent.
What talent! It's no small feat to put on a one-man show that remains engaging and energized over several hours, much less be laugh-out-loud funny yet also touching, but Don Reed succeeds on all counts.
It was amazing! Don Reed is extremely talented and I loved it. It was hilarious and insightful and he made the sparse stage come alive and I felt as if I could actually picture everything that spoke about. I'm buying more tickets and bringing my whole family to go see it!
It was a wonderfully touching and laugh provoking performance made even more amazing by the knowledge that this was his real life story!
Great Show!
This is my 5th time and I do plan on going AGAIN! This show is like a favorite movie but better because each performance is slightly different in tone and content. DON REED IS AWESOME!!!!
A brilliant show, heart warming, funny poignant. Excellent I want to come again and have recommended it to several people.
Don does an outstanding job of combining music, dance and story telling. You can envision the characters as he describes them. If you grew up locally, this is a special treat. This is a must see show!
This is one play that everyone should see. The way Don portrays all of the characters is humorous and enlightening. I am going back again and I'm telling everyone I know that they should not miss seeing and hearing this man's story and an amazing performance.
This is my second time seeing it and just love it every time. Don Reed is extremely talented and very funny! However he also sends a great message at the end. Well worth it!
so damn funny. it opened my heart and my eyes to don's childhood and his family and neighborhood characters. very creatively done.
If half stars were an option, I would have given this show 3.5 but would rather round up than down based on the fabulous performance. Great energy, characterizations and blocking. My issue is with the script. The writing could be tighter and there's not really a story arc. Still, as a huge consumer of SF solo performances, I can say that Don Reed is one of the best and East 14th is a go see show. (Especially for half price!)
Don Reed is a gifted storyteller and this piece is filled with some very memorable characters. Believe what you've read and get your tickets now!
Saw the show for a second time....just as great as the first. This second set of out of town visitors I brought along were delighted. That makes two sets. Again, Reed was energetic, compassionate and joyously funny. Time for some spin-offs; get some of the characters in their own shows. I am ready to see 100 minutes of Wadell right now. Don't know if Reed can spit, jump and lisp that long, but it would be hilarious to see him try.
The performace was engaging, hilarious, and enlightening! Great music, great story...could not have asked for more.
This was one of the best one man shows I have seen in a long time. Even though it was his life story and it was hard, he shares it with all of us and makes us laugh the entire time. I went backt to see it twice, then took my neices to see. They love it.
I know that this was a one man play ~~ but his descriptions of the other characters just came alive. Truly a GREAT Performance
Don is incredibly talented and this show is up there with Sarah Jones' Bridge and Tunnel, and Dan Hoyle's Tings Dey Happen. Most people were doubled over with laugther and the music rocked. A must see.
Don Reed's artistic presentation is brillliant....He masters the "art in paradox" by giving us a simple yet very intensely complicated story.
Highly entertaining and thought provoking!
We made this a family event and so I was there with my father, two sisters, three adult nephews, one adult niece and three of their friends. Even with this multi-generational group, everyone found enjoyment in the play and there were several "laugh out loud" moments. Having grown up in Oakland, I found a personal connection to the story, although I am a bit younger than Reed. My older sisters are in his age group and their resonance to different scenes was obvious.
With so much negative publicity about Oakland in the news, it is refreshing to hear a story about how it is possible to be raised by a pimp and come out strong and positive.
he makes it look soooo easy. don performs multiple characters and weaves a delightful tail of growing up on two different sides of Oakland. EXCELLENT!
This is the SECOND timeI've seen the show and this time I brought my daughter. I loved sharing the event with her and my other friends. Hope to see it at least one more time before it's over.
The show is fabulous. I laughed so hard that tears came to my eyes. Don is a talented man that displays at least 10 different characters This is a must see show. Hurry before it ends.
Ron Reed's "14th" Street was engaging, intelligent, and very funny. Go see it! Don't miss out!
Don Reed presented a funny, touching, lively, and dramatic memoir. He's a great entertainer and his theme was very well communicated. In this play, we learn about his bifurcated childhood environment, gaining insights we would not find anywhere else. As an Oaklander (and an old-timer) I especially enjoyed it and felt proud of Don and Oakland.
This was the second time attending this event. I had to come back with other friends it was that good. Don is an extraordinary performer who makes you laugh and cry. I was amazed at how much I laughed even the second time and how deeply moved I was even knowing what was coming. My friends were dazzled by it. It is a MUST SEE!!!!
Don Reed is VERY talented and his story is inspiring and keeps the audience laughing from start to finish. I doubt we'll be able to see him in such an intimate venue for long. Great evening.
4th time, still a charm!
Funny, poignant, authentic... a GREAT story.
This guy ROCKS. Highly recommend the show for a great laugh and a sincere life story of a regular kid (who has a pimp for a dad and a born again for a mom) from Oakland.
Brilliant. I was so entertained, I sent off an e-mail to several friends at intermission telling them to grab tickets ASAP. Mr. Reed is tremendously funny and the show is non-stop entertainment.
Don Reed is a HUGE talent! My mother and I went for her 60th birthday and we both were laughing until it hurt. There were also many serious and contemplative moments that demonstrated Mr. Reed's ability to share his truth. We were moved and would definitely recommend this to everyone.
My stomach was tired after laughing for so long. A wonderful evening!
Great show. Don Reed paints a fascinating picture of his childhood. It was particularly fun for this longtime Oakland resident who remembers when International Blvd. was still Easth 14th.
Don Reed has a story to tell and more than enough performance skills to tell it. Thoughtful and entertaining autobiograohical recollection.
Great show!
Excellent show! This man can sing, dance, and act... both hilarious and touching moments. Definitely go see it before it leaves town.
One person portrayal of various characters influencing Don Reed's life. Done skillfully, humorously and very convincingly. Great laugh out loud show; his ability to use subtle facial expressions and body postures to distinguish characters is tops. Have recommended the show to friends and co-workers. Glad to know it has been extended again; undoubtedly worth a trip across the bridge.
Don Reed's show was hilarious, he did a great job! If you want to get away for an afternoon and have a good laugh this is definitely the place to go.
This was a great show. I like the intimacy of the Marsh theater, but I loved the intimacy of the man's life. Humorous and somewhat thought provoking it was a nice show. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I enjoyed it, though thought it was a bit long and rambling. He clearly has a lot of talent, and it was enjoyable to see all the different characters.
A great story and Don is an animated storyteller! The music is wonderful.
When we sat down, I doubted the 1h and 40 min performance without intermission would hold my attention - I was wrong. We were engaged the entire time - lots of laughs. Don Reed is so talented!
Don Reed (Blinky) is hilarious and does the job as a one-man-show very very well! I highly recommend him and will most likely go and see him again sometime soon! Loved it! =)
The performance was excellent, great characters, high energy.
Don Reed is great! It was the 2nd time that I'd seen his show. I laughed even more this time. My friend loved him also. GO sse him!
Don Reed puts on an incredible show - hilarious and moving at the same time. He has an uncanny ability to embody all the different characters seamlessly! Highly recommended!
It was one of the most amazing experiences in my theater going life.
It was a great show! Don Reed is so talented, I truly recommend this solo show.
Great show; he's a really good actor and very funny and inspiring!!
Awesome show. It was hilarious and it keeps you engaged. I think I want to see it again.
Great show, highly recommended
Excellent, entertaining performance.
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The Marsh books an eclectic mix of alternative and avant-garde theater, performance art, comedy, and the occasional musical act, with an emphasis on solo performances and seldom-staged plays. The room is homey and dimly lighted, and you can purchase freshly baked treats and excellent coffee at intermission.
The Marsh, a breeding ground for new performance, is pleased to present Don Reed’s East 14th: Tales of a Reluctant Player. In the spirit of John Leguizamo’s “Freak.” Sarah Jones “Bridge And Tunnel” and Whoopi Goldberg’s “Whoopi,” comes this hilarious solo show chronicling the true tale of a young man raised by his mother and ultra-strict step-father as a middle class, straight A, God-fearing church boy. The boy, however, wanted to be just like his dear old Dad. Too bad he didn’t know dear old Dad was a pimp. Very funny, definitely poignant – a ride down a street you won’t soon forget.
The play is set in Oakland, CA in the 1970's. Reed’s father was super talented, cool as hell and very funny. He would say the most outrageous stuff, whether it was sexually charged or just a good old fashioned diss. He played the congos and was offered to travel with well-known bands. But he had never learned to read and felt he might be required to interpret a hotel bill or something – thus risking his “cool.” So he let his dream pass. And for a while – got caught up in “The Life.”
He had three sons. Darrell was really focused on digging women. He LOVED women. ALL of them, and he became a beautician – a very good one - so he could be around them all the time. “You know somethin’ - every guy doin’ hair in that shop is gay” he used to say. Then he smiled like a wolf in a hen house and said, “But, I’m not.” Although a womanizer, he was deeply generous. Darrell would literally give anyone in need his very last dollar. His other brother, Tony, was a study in effeminate elegance and assassin level self-defense. Tony could whoop ANYBODY in the neighborhood and accordingly stomped the stereotype of “the weak gay man” to bits.
Reed himself was called Blinky because he had the habit of blinking his eyes. He remembers doing it on the bus ride all the way over to visit his father on Sundays. Sometimes his father wouldn’t be there – but he’d leave the door unlocked and Reed would get one of Darrell’s jackets out of the closet. Then he’d walk to the corner store, get a pint of Carnation Strawberry Ice Cream and coolly walk “The Stroll,” pretending to be older. And the street walkers would ask, “Why you blinkin’ like that?” then interject —“Wanna date baby?” And he’d say, after taking a spoonful of the delicious strawberry magic: “I could buy some if I wanted to – but I don’t want to.”
East 14th: Tales of a Reluctant Player ran the entire summer of 2008 Off Broadway in New York City. It was a double nominee - Best Actor and Best Playwright - for the 2008 NAACP Theatre Awards - as well as a nominee for 2008 Best Solo Performance for the Audelco "Viv" Awards.
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