Big Shoes Short Tales
Michelle Matlock
Directed by Amy Gordon
Michelle takes simple autobiographical stories and animates them using little but lights, some sound and her marvelously expressive self. We are invited in immediately; it is clear that she is having a fabulous time and she is ecstatic to be sharing it with us. She can do or say anything, we love watching her.
With a brilliant smile, totally proud of her prowess, Michelle twirls a rainbow ribbon, and stops to talk to us of her first visit to NY. Thus begins the tale of Michelle's journey to become an artist: her struggles, her pleasures, her discovery of her true identity.
One of my favorite moments is when, totally dejected, she calls her mother, to ask for money. She does an elaborate warm up to get prepared. She laughs almost uncontrollably as she listens to her mom--you can tell there is big love coming at her. Then she gets serious and asks for the money; she is rewarded with the promise. The second time she calls mom, the pattern repeats. It is even funnier this time, because we know what is coming.
Michelle is a wonderful storyteller.
My only complaint is that is was over so soon. What a great start on a full-length one-woman autobiography. I cannot wait for the next ten or twelve chapters.
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