Straight Up - With a Twist: off Broadway tell all
Paul Stroili (writer/performer) isn’t afraid to confess that he was an ugly kid with a lot of
hang ups. He was a totally straight guy with a totally gay sensibility
which confused his family, his friends and himself.

by Oscar E. Moore
from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com

Paul Stroili (writer/performer) isn’t afraid to come out on stage at the Players Theatre and confess in his 75 minute one man autobiographical performance piece that he was an ugly kid with a lot of hang ups. He was a totally straight guy with a totally gay sensibility. Confusing his family, his friends and himself.

What he has grown into is a charming, funny, engaging performer who invites you into his amazingly candid and amusing struggle with his life, his loves, his Bronx born German chain smoking mother, his Italian father, his macho brother, his shrink, his coach, his drama teacher and his wonderful demanding telephoning grandmother. I love his grandmother.

Five years ago, Paul got married to the only woman who truly understood him - he was like a gay friend that she could have sex with. Back and forth we go from the past to the present and back again with a change of voice here, a change of face there, a change of hat or with imaginary cigarettes being deeply inhaled to great effect. Paul Stroili gives wonderful, compassionate life to each and every character he creates.

Speaking of a gay sensibility, I wondered why the tablecloth on the small round table, stage center, did not reach the floor. It just didn’t look right to me. But then, about two thirds into this therapeutic show for Paul where the audience pays and not the patient – the tablecloth is removed, the table top tilted up - becoming a wheel of chance for the game to be played by Paul and two male audience members – It’s All Geek To Me!

It’s a fun evening. It’s short. But Paul Stroili is certainly not short on talent. Straight Up – With A Twist is fresh, original and inviting. Nicely directed by Bill Penton. I only wish Paul Stroili had included in his diverse cast of characters – his wife. That would have been very interesting. I have another wish. I wish to see all these characters in a television sit-com come to life with Paul Stroili starring as the central force – something akin to Everybody Loves Raymond. I need to see his grandmother on the phone again.
www.Straight-Up.com