2025 Audience Reviews

Company: Sufian Zhemukhov
Show: An Immigrant's Guide to America
Venue: Open Eye Theatre

Americans and Love

As Americans, we talk a lot about what we believe is right and just, but we don't talk about our feelings - our emotions. We are also uptight and easily offended, which sometimes makes us unfunny. 🤦🏻‍♀️ What I learned from today's Minnesota Fringe show called, The Immigrant's Guide to America...was not the monologue...but who was the storyteller and how the monologue was received in the room. To me, this Russian man surprised us with unapologetic stories about dating in America. When he explicitly described kissing scenarios, I suddenly felt uncomfortable. Not for myself but for the audience as there were no hoots, hollering, or hahas. I mean, I sat there with a giddy smile on my face because I LOVE talking about love, but most Americans do this behind closed doors. To me, this European man who was also deeply Russian as his humor was dark, brooding, and subtle...was also so NOT American - in a good way. Americans may have cringed at parts of his love stories. But maybe, that is the part that should be uplifted. Maybe we should not just advocate for what we believe in and start showing love - start talking about our feelings and be vulnerable. 💞 I thought his monologue was brave, sensitive, and admirable. 😌