2026 Audience Reviews

Company: Special When Lit
Show: Bury The Leads
Venue: Mixed Blood

Alchemy at its finest

The difference between Entertainment and a True Theatrical Experience on the stage involves many factors but all can be summed up with one word: Alchemy. People who have “the gift” are alchemists Nissa Nordland Morgan and Sam Landman in “Bury The Leads” are alchemists on the stage. I’ve not seen alchemy used that effectively in long form improv before. They were able to provide a certain kind of energy that was structured and spontaneous at the same time. They had themes and inside jokes that carried throughout. As an audience member I could not tell, besides the audience suggestion based material, what was 100% organic verses vs briefly outlined (ala Christopher Guest style) vs written sketch with elements of improv thrown in (ala Carol Burnet show/sctv/public tv/early 80’s cable access comedy) and the fact that we could not tell shows how SEAMLESS it all was… But that’s not where the ALCHEMY comes in. The alchemy comes in with how they were able to provide that energy, pick the audience up and carry them with you as you alter and transfuse the energetic in the room in VARIOUS different ways throughout that experience. That can BEGIN through the unexpected, comedic timing, using silence well, using banter well, making the characters relatable, turning the comedy on its head several times… this all reels the audience in… But what takes everybody to the NEXT level.. Is the HUGE amount of GENUINENESS and HEART that flows throughout it. Once they held the audience in their hands they ALSO held the audience close as we rode the waves with them. They had already been reeling the audience in with everything mentioned above, then completely shattered the 4th wall and went into the audience completely and directly. They then took the genuine connection they developed with the audience on a wave of emotion, humor, then surprising us with POIGNANCY THAT MADE A PIN DROP, and back to the funny again… So carefully skillfully masterful. I said what I said. This is very difficult to do. One does not learn that in theatre school. It takes years of experience and honing one’s craft to effortlessly create moments that seamless and they did it. The vulnerability was PALPABLE at times. I as a human in the audience had tears in my eyes, could identify with a character and thought, “Oh my gosh it’s my MOM… it’s my GRANDMA… at times it’s even been ME…” When the artists are able to dig up the emotions of the audience that are buried within them, GIVE WORDS TO THOSE EMOTIONS… and those tears come out peoples faces… That is not just “catharsis” THAT is ALCHEMY… and it’s healing. Both Nissa and Sam have gifts. These gifts are much needed in times like this. They are doing healing work. This show is very well done. I hope they can take “Bury The Leads” on the road and lift the hearts of many like they do with every audience always.