An Immigrant's Guide to America

Storytelling from a Russian immigrant experience

We attended the Sunday afternoon performance and found that each performance is different. That said, we enjoyed Sufian's hour-long telling of experiences as a Russian immigrant dating in the US. CREATIVITY = 4+ (Sufian's Russian immigrant perspective provides a different point-of-view than a typical Fringe storyteller). PERFORMANCE EXECUTION = 4 (Sufian is a delight in every way, and as we left, we wondered why he spoke so slowly. You might want to consider picking it up a bit to move the story along) ACCESSIBILITY = 5 (the ebb and flow of the vignettes and music worked well).

Gently-paced storytelling

I loved this show - the sweet stories from the performer’s childhood in the USSR, his beautiful classical guitar songs, and the Moth performer’s story at the outset. Not a flashy show, but engaging stories that I’d love to hear more of

Learned While Laughing

I wasn't expecting to see the show to be honest, but I'm so glad I did. I learned a lot about Russian and Jewish culture and I spent the majority of the performance laughing. Apparently each night is different, but I surely enjoyed the night I attended.

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. 😌

Comfy Storytelling About Uncomfortable Topics

You know that feeling of safety you feel when you know you're watching a professional do their craft? That's how I felt at this performance. This rendition was about Taboo Topics, which could have been extremely uncomfortable, but a feeling settled over me quickly that Sufian would guide us through this with a steady hand. And he did! This ended up being a show about ordinary American kindness, which healed a little something in me I didn't realize needed it.

Engaging Storyteller

Sufian knows how to tell a good story. Each one of his shows is different and I will happily go to another if I have the time. The one I caught was about dating mishaps, which were relateably awkward, sometimes sad, mostly funny, but each one pulls the audience in.

Charming and heartwarming

Was a fun and entertaining show.

Unenthralling

It sounds like each show is going to be on a different topic. In that case, I wish I had seen the earlier show. The show I saw was about his experiences with relationships, which were honest - but I felt like I wasn't getting his unique perspective as an immigrant. Lacking that, the stories he told were not very engaging. How do I know? I can tell you not only that the arch at the theater is uneven, I can tell you the stage left side is 5 bricks higher.

His stories about dating were disappointing

This artist has a different theme for each show.l with the show I saw centered around dating. While having some funny moments, his stories centered around trying to get the women to kiss him. As a woman, I felt his actions were manipulative and gross.

Eye Opening Stories

Sufian Zhemukhov is a brilliant storyteller. He takes his audience back in time when he was navigating America as a Russian/Muslim Immigrant. His delivery is as if he is talking directly to you. Imagine Mr. Rogers in a coffee shop - even the house lights at Open Eye are dimmed to set the tone. This show is billed as political, but from the night I went, it was all about humans trying to connect. Mr. Zhemukhov's stories are as delightful as they are powerful. He has so much to say, and you should hear it.

Humorous and insightful

Enjoyed his personal stories of experiencing US culture as an immigrant. A good reminder of the importance of intercultural relationships and communication. All told in meaningful and humorous way.

Wonderful stories @ religion, politics and guns.

I thoroughly enjoyed this show and the stories he told. His voice I found so soothing. I could listen to him read a dishwasher owner's manual just to hear him speak!