A Good Cancer to Have

Hilarious and emotional

Sam's a born entertainer taking you on a hilarious Willy Wonka ride through an incredibly vulnerable part of his life. With Leah Sweere leading the charge with an endless supply of puppets, streamers, music, and ultrasounds, Sam Sweere's "A Good Kind of Cancer" is a uniquely brave and exciting production. Shoutout to the wonderful crew helping to make that beautiful and emotional ending moment happen

Tender and Hopeful

What a beautiful and funny journey Sam takes us on through such a personal chapter of his story! The concept of building a play around hope really struck me - there's something so refreshing about that approach. I found myself captivated by how unconventional it felt, this whole idea of looking ahead instead of dwelling on the past. It's almost like the show breaks the fourth wall with time itself. Leah absolutely shines in this production. She's the steady foundation that holds everything together while also being this dazzling performer who seamlessly moves between puppets, props, and different characters. Watching her work with all those streamers and handle multiple roles made it clear she's incredibly talented. Her versatility really anchors the whole experience. The vulnerability Sam shares is both heartbreaking and uplifting, and the way humor weaves through those tender moments creates something really special. This forward-looking, almost surreal quality gives the whole piece this unique energy that I haven't experienced in other shows. Don't miss this one - it's definitely worth seeing!

A funny tug on your heartstrings

Thank you to Sam and Leah, who took me on a funny, heartfelt, emotional journey through Sam's experience. I was already crying a few minutes in, and the laughs I had throughout were cathartic and releasing. Incredibly inspiring, brilliant work.

Very clever

He uses very clever stage craft to navigate an emotionally fraught subject to great effect.

Just Fantastic!!

Wow. I loved this show. It’s mind-blowing that someone in the last two months of chemo can write, produce, and perform to this level. Brain fog. Pain. Exhaustion. All those things that chemo gives suck, and it gets worse each time . Sam has beaten all the odds by creating and performing this beautiful piece of theatre. Simply amazing. Such heart, so many great laughs, remarkable insight with an emphasis on hope!!! Go and see it – you’ll walk out feeling inspired.

Laughing, Learning, and Being Alive

My expectations of this show were high because of Sweere’s Fringe performance last year with “A Horse Walks Out Onto a Stage and Dies.” In that show, also a solo-comedy, Sweere wrestled with what it meant to be alive and find worth in the midst of tragedy. Those themes are repeated in “A Good Cancer to Have,” and are developed further using Sweere’s raw personal experience. His brilliance comes out in the whole performance, especially his writing. The deepest truths of this show are buried in the punchlines he delivers with such playful yet powerful candor. Sweere hides nothing from the audience. He keeps no secrets as he allows us to hold his story in our hands. Another element Sweere has added to this year’s show was chemistry. Sweere’s wife, Leah, creates an anchor for him as an actor and character alike. She echoes the role that she has played in his actual life, that of his chief caregiver, and if you pay close attention to the time they share together on stage, their love is unmistakable. This is, after all, the story of their love as well. The show would not work without the newly-married pair performing so seamlessly together. I was both blessed and impressed by this incredible work of art. I’m excited to see what new story Sweere will have for us next year. The festival is fortunate to have come across someone so uniquely gifted as him.

Honest and engaging

This show is extremely well-crafted and incredibly honest. Sam finds the perfect balance between comedy and sharing the pain of experiencing cancer. Creative and moving. Would love to see more from this skilled storyteller.

Sam's story is full of hope

Sam wrote this during his cancer treatment. Not exactly what those less focused among us would emphasize during the boring, worrisome times of radiation exhaustion! But as other reviewers have noted, the work ends with hope. If I have a nit to pick (which I often do), it was with the sudden change of tone. We understand that part of the point was that when treatment was over, despair was replaced by hope. And the transition of tone from the silly, almost goofy, first 80% to the cheery, hopeful last 20% was awfully abrupt.

Funny, moving, and inspirational

Sam masterfully brings together comedy and personal experience into a moving affirmation of life. Simply excellent.

Very Well Done

I wanted to title this review "Go See It, He Had Cancer For Chrissakes!", as I think it would have made Sam Sweere laugh. But that's exactly what Sam and Hannah Steblay, the director, bring to the show. A cheeky irreverence, while still retaining an emotional vulnerability. This is a lot more loosey-goosey than Sam's show last year, but it will make you laugh and make you tear up.

The Human Side, Well Said

It takes a brave soul to tell such a story. The ugly truths are blended with witty humor and every prop is impeccably timed. There is infinite value in every second.

Emotional, raw, and hilarious

As a fellow young survivor (early stage breast cancer at age 26-woo!), thank you for this, Sam and Leah. I laughed and cried through this whole show. Sam gives audiences an honest view into survivorship and how cancer permenantly alters your perspective on life and love. The dark humor was strikingly relateable as someone who’s been there, and the more emotional moments put into words things I couldn’t.

Deeply moving

Sam is an utterly gifted storyteller, and it was profound to witness this journey through the pain, absurdity, banality, and humor of a life-altering period. The show presented by him and Leah is beautiful and touches at something deeply human inside. It’s a must-see show yall.

Crying in the [redacted] Room fr fr

Sam is truly great at what he does - whether it’s dinging the downer bell at just the right time or dealing with an unexpected pseudo-heckler, Sam’s writing talent and stage presence are undeniable. Leah is the true backbone of the show, and getting a glimpse of their real-life partnership took this show from “a really good show about cancer” to “a really really good show about hope and love and also cancer”. As many have already said: A Must-See for this year’s Fringe.

I was on the fence, now I'm a person who cares

I thought the show was going to be super depressing. But I was pleasantly surprised at how much I laughed. It was funny. It was sad. It restored hope in me. I wish it was longer.

A Good Cry To Have

I was blown away! It was so heartfelt and rich, and was a message I really needed to hear right now, all while being funny as all hell. I hope everyone involved is proud of themselves, and I can't wait for Sam's next show. A must watch!

Truly moving

Sam is one of the most talented performers I’ve seen in recent years. His ability to balance humor, sincerity, and to keep things entertaining should be studied. After being blown away by the Horse Play ™️, I couldn’t wait for his next piece. I was so impressed with how he was able to speak about the last year, and I hope that everybody is able to see this and hear his perspective. Bravo, Sam.

Funny, fearless and full of heart

A Good Cancer to Have is the kind of show that sneaks up on you—in the best possible way. Funny, heartfelt, and thought-provoking, it delivers a rollercoaster of emotions with the kind of clever storytelling that makes you laugh even as your heart aches. Whether you’ve faced your own health battles or simply appreciate theater that dares to be both brave and entertaining, A Good Cancer to Have is a must-see. It’s the kind of gem that leaves you laughing through tears and thinking long after the curtain call.

A witty, vulnerable, self-aware triumph

It's simultaneously spiritually revelatory and laugh-out-loud funny, from a talented performer with consistently spot-on comedic timing. This is a Must-See show, according to PiPress critics: https://www.twincities.com/2025/08/01/fringe-review-a-good-cancer-to-have-is-witty-self-aware-triumph/

We all grew from your vulnerability

Thank you for such a wonderful show, Sam. I’m so sorry you had to go through this, but I was so inspired by your love for life - especially for your wife. It moved me to tears. I’ll take your advice and do something I would never do. Thank you for such a genuine self-reflection.

All the feels

This show will make you laugh, cry, and celebrate the beauty of life (even in dark times). A Finge must-see!

Truly Moving

This show is so smart, and it hits you right where it hurts. It's funny, heartbreaking, and full of life. A must-see!

A Good Show to See

So funny, so moving, and yet also informative 🤓

A must see!

A truly beautiful and hilarious experience

Part memoir, part standup, all engaging

Sam is an excellent storyteller.

Peed myself a little

Sam Sweere’s flavor of humor feels like a gift to the world that those of us who’ve seen him should be commissioned to share with the masses. This show is the loudest I’ve laughed and the hardest I’ve cried all year. Don’t be an idiot and miss it. Leah Sweere (Sweere-y? Swear-y? Sweer?) was clearly made to be the great counterpart in all of Sam’s shows and life. Their dynamic as a couple, working in such witty yet emotional tandem, is something I pray we all find. Confetti streamers for all of us. Oh and fuck cancer 🥳

Real humanity

Some wonderfully creative and hilarious moments mixed with realness and vulnerability. Bravo.

A Show Based on Hope

Hilarious and tender — Sam brings us on a ride through an incredibly vulnerable part of his life. I loved the opening and this idea of a play based on hope. I loved how strange and almost meta it was, to be reflecting forward in time, rather than backwards. Leah Sweere is both the rock and a star (rockstar) with the many puppets, streamers, and roles she effortlessly switches between throughout this show. Excellent work and a must-see!

All the Feels

A must-see show.

A Real Highlight

This was an incredible piece of theatre. I loved Sam’s show last year, and this is a worthy, if very different, follow up. His journey is intense and harrowing, and the way he tells stories is funny and irreverent. This is a must see. Everything Sam does is a must see.

Midwest Cancer Ward Bo Burnham

Sweere's ability to blend the humorous and heartfelt while crashing through the fourth wall gives the show a vibe the reminds me of Bo Burnham's Inside. There are plenty of laughs that space out extremely touching moments of vulnerability. Overall a very well put together and engaging performance.

A Good Show to Watch

Sam Sweere was one of Fringe 2024’s biggest hits as a horse trapped in a “Duck Amuck” scenario but this year comes a somber, thoughtful show about the unfairness of real life. Although I miss Sam yelling at the audience he is a fantastic speaker and is able to traverse through difficult moments with wit and humor. His wife Leah plays a silent stagehand and offers many great assists throughout the show.

Well done

Sam Sweere is an excellent and focused storyteller with the ability to make you laugh and cry within the span of five minutes. This show is thoughtful, honest, and has that magic that inspires.

Vulnerable, beautiful, funny.

This show walks a delicate and beautiful line of irreverence, depth, and vulnerability. Sam is undoubtably an amazing storyteller- but being able to write an tell a story so close to being in it is exceptionally impressive. Go see this story and share in this stunning hour of humanity.

So much heart, laughter and all the feels

This was just a lovely experience from start to finish. This was poignant with the right amount of clever, irreverent and downright silly humor paired with a healthy dose of getting you in the feels. Really wonderful storytelling. Hannah Steblay is the best director in the Twin Cities.

Live.

I don't have a cancer, I never have had cancer, and hopefully I never do, but I have been in a place where the thought of dying was all too relevant. The fear, the dread, the thought if it all ending and having nothing to show for it, I have felt it, and to say it was cathartic to finally watch someone put the feelings I felt in tangible words for the world to consume, it would be such an understatement. Sam does a nigh-perfect job bringing forth the emotions that come with what feel like helpless situations. It felt GOOD to shed tears, tears of joy and pain, in knowing that I wasn't alone. That my fear of becoming an unlucky statistic was not only mine. Why should it take us almost dying to finally realize we need to live? To pursue the life we want? I don't know. Shit, neither does Sam, but I am not alone, and so is no one else, who feels that way. Also Sam high fived me halfway through the show after ragging on current issues and that was epic so in spirit he gets 6 kitties instead of 5 for that.

Human from start to finish

Sam Sweere fearlessly invites the audience to join him on his deeply personal, intensely complex, and occasionally absurd journey through cancer. It is not sensationalized; it is not downplayed; it is not fictionalized; it is not sterilized. It simply is, in all of its grossness and hilarity and fear and absurdity and (somehow) beauty. This is a bold, important, and special piece that will make you laugh about 300% more than you expect to.

Bring tissues

This show is phenomenal. It will make you laugh and cry and most everything in between. So much love to the Sweeres!

First live show, definitely didn't disappoint

Sam and his wife Leah gave a great performance and look into the world of cancer from his point of view. You'll be laughing and crying by the end. A very touching story.

Amazing!

Sam Sweere made his audience laugh, cry, and reflect. Sam is fearless in his humor, with a complexity that matches the journey he's been on. Well thought out, amazingly written, a standup comedy with real meat and heart to it. So delicate, vulnerable, and hilarious.

Personal story well told.

When you hear an engaging story on the Moth Radio Hour and want to hear even more, this is what you would come up with. Cleverly staged and almost all the comedic bits work well. Sam is well-supported by his wife, Leah.