Riki Lindhome: Dead Inside review – A stunning comedy about fertility | comedy

‘I “I know this show can be uncomfortable,” says Rikki Lindhome, sitting down at the keyboard after a song about pregnancy loss. But if Dead Inside is never a comfortable show, it’s also funny, entertaining and highly emotionally involving. Hardcore viewers of shock comedy, a staple of fringe festivals lately, may be weary of the prospect of a “one-woman musical comedy about my fertility journey.” Their faith in form will be completely refreshed by this beautiful American’s hour of judgment, which chronicles her transformation into the sad, amusing, and astonishing efforts to become a mother.

There’s something about the humility of the task that’s key: few resume presentations feel less “me, me, me.” Lindhome signs off most of her songs with the demure “That’s it”; The production values ​​(right down to the disembodied hand sticking out of the wings to operate the bubble machine) are mediocre. Let’s face it, our host would rather not tell this story of frozen embryos, failed IVF, seven surgeries in one year, untimely relationship breakups, and being labeled an “undesirable candidate” to adopt a child.

This latest story takes the cake, as Lindhome takes issue with her Google presence that includes vulgar and profane songs recorded as part of the duo Garfunkel and Oates. There are more witty, sweet numbers here: one poking fun at Disney princesses (Lindhome was writing an animated feature throughout her pregnancy), another asking “Are you going to be my bio-daddy?”, and a few tangential but pertinent detours into “The Sound of Music” and female medical history.

A later song compares the surrogate Lindhome eventually finds to a “trash bag,” which at this point seems sacrilegious in itself — while lingering the sense that surrogacy, like one half of a stunt double now performing comedy alone, may not be the outcome she wants, but it’s better than not doing it at all.

There’s an outreach dimension to the show too, which is slightly worn but – in reference to the information withheld from Lindhome that may have changed everything – very compelling. From appearing almost shy to commanding your attention, Lindhome’s show soon forces you to fully engage your heart, head, and funny bone.