Ruth Otero moves effortlessly through a score of characters in her second one-woman show, exemplified by tremendous dignity and solid mental and physical control. Dancing alongside every performer’s top demon, fear, she replaces anxiety and cowardice with humorous bravery, making one question why they themselves would ever fall victim to such timid apprehension.
The one hour and fifteen minute skit is a journey through the daily aversions that hold one back from fulfilling not only their dreams but at times, the simple action of being alive. One scenario places Otero as Yellow Bird in the boxing ring against Fear, the next as a human dealing with the possibility of super powers, followed by the prospect of being “special”. She also touches on important societal and feminine issues, such as growing up as a Puerto Rican pretending to be white in order to get ahead and the ideas of pregnancy and lesbianism. Her intimacy with the crowd created a relaxed atmosphere, making her punchlines punch and serious monologues punch harder. An incredibly lively dance with insomnia set to classical music rounds out the action.
Otero’s timing and honesty are her strengths, as she segues characters with fluid authority. Every scene drew many laughs, and rightfully so. The repetitious nature of the subject does wear a bit thin towards the end as she seems to run out of metaphors to employ, but those delivered are powerful. Kim Ima offers continuous insight as direct, and the minimal setting of chair and bed leave a lot of room for Otero to dance. And with irresistible humility and humbleness, she dances extravagantly. (Derek Beres - Backstage)