Against My Will

Engaging and Alive

Michael is a natural storyteller, taking you on a beautifully written weave through the moments that made him who he is. A vulnerable, hilarious, and vibrant kind of storytelling that leaves you feeling beautifully exposed and grateful to be so. I called my mom after and I'm sure you will too

Deeply human, deeply moving

Michael has nailed every role I've seen him play, and this one is no exception. The show itself deals with difficult topics in a very honest, heartfelt, natural, even relatable way. I felt like there was a good balance between the heavy stuff (and there is a lot of it), lighter moments of humor, and pondering life in general. Definitely see this one!

A solo show done right

I am in awe of people who can effectively tell stories on stage. Michael performs the story with passion, heartfelt moments, and transparency. It's hard not to be captivated by his experience.. Each element of the show added another layer to the journey of learning what shaped Michael as a person. I learned so much more about him, and I am amazed at how strong he is now. Highly recommend this show!

Life experience story telling

There was a lot to like about Against My Will: Michael's impressions of his mother and of "the Kennedy who will not be named" were just great; the suitcase metaphor at the beginning worked really well. And it was obvious that Michael had worked through some extremely tough situations to finally own his own life. And maybe we were in the midst of "fringe personal story burnout" for our Wednesday evening show. For that risk, I just raised my 4 to a 4.5 (and a reminder for next year).

Heartbreaking and inspiring

It’s hard to tell the truth well onstage, and Michael does it beautifully! Well-written, well-performed, and features the best damn Bobby Kennedy impression you’ve heard this side of the Mississippi. Highly recommend!!

Heartfelt, brutal, and shockingly funny!

Against my will stands out for the quality of the writing and the acting. It’s a very insightful take on the impulses and forces that drive us and create us, with some hilarious observational humor throughout. The writing was a cut above. What was remarkable was the relaxed poise with which Quadrozzi flowed between characters, and delivered some very heavy material. The show succeeded in being about pain without being overwhelmed by it, or seeming the least bit exploitative or button pushing.

See this show willingly

Against My Will is a phenomenal one man show written, produced and brought to life through a charming, funny and vulnerable performance by Michael Quadrozzi. This show is Fringe at its best, giving a talented artist a venue to experiment in a new format they otherwise wouldn’t be able to engage in. A veteran of twin cities theater, Quadrozzi shows off his skill as a storyteller with a script that expertly balances humor and the often tragic forces that shaped his life. The show is consistently engaging and gives you a crystal clear snapshot of the inner workings of the man on stage - no small feat given the tight 55 minute runtime. Definitely a must see, and one you should go to out of your own will.

Michael hooked me immediately with Wells, Maine!

The literal and the metaphorical "unpacking one's baggage" was brilliant from the entrance upstairs' entrance through the end. I was hooked at Wells, Maine, the Atlantic Ocean, and being raised in Massachusetts as a shared background. I also identified with the journey of unpacking through useful tools of talk therapy, EMDR (highly recommend), DBT, etc. Michael shares his courageous journey to figure out what is and what is not working in his life, what has been affected by previous generations who who refused help, and sifting through what is his to deal with and what is someone else's baggage. Michael shares his journey in very vulnerable and also comical ways. What an honor to be in the audience for this show and be able to introduce myself as another New Englander, even after living in Minnesota more than half my life. Kudos! Well done. I hope we stay in touch.

Raw, heartwarming and deeply inspiring

Michael’s one-man show was raw, heartwarming, and profoundly inspiring. From the moment it began, it felt like he was inviting us into his world—speaking to us, laughing with us, and sharing his story with such vulnerability and ease that we couldn’t help but feel every moment alongside him. The writing was sharp and deeply human, seamlessly blending humor with heartbreak. It was more than a performance; it was an experience that stayed with me long after. Truly a must-see!

When Art and Healing Collide

This show was heartwarming and speaks to the human experience. I was invested and enjoyed the blend of heavy topics with humor and light-heartedness. Speaking as someone who has a total hard on for personal growth- this show strikes that cord!

Well told story.

Well written and very well performed. He references a therapist in the audience. I felt that as an audience member that I was sitting 'in loco' therapist. Luckily, this client was very open and giving. I learned a lot from this session.

ACE comedy and emotions

Always nice to be seen and to see art made by a fellow member of the mama trauma squad. Very heartfelt, great impressions, and even pretty funny at times. Thanks, Michael. I’m glad you’re here and grateful for your show.

So good, I saw it twice!

Ok, so I didn't mean to see it twice, but was very glad I did. The story Michael so flawlessly shares is one that more people can relate to that are probably willing to admit. Families are often difficult to navigate. Give yourself permission to see this show. It's cheaper than a good therapist, but more enlightening.