This series is called Book v Movie, but this entry is Book v Live Performance.
Portland Oregon rock star Storm Large created her own one-woman show. The deeply personal musical drama is an unflinching look at her life, including family mental health, addiction and surviving in the face of doom. This show ran in Portland to rave reviews and multiple extensions. I was lucky enough to see Crazy Enough three times.
A few years after the show’s run in Portland, Large authored a book, Crazy Enough, that tells a bit more expansively the same story as the play.
Between the book and the performance, the performance is much better. Do not mistake my assessment for dismissal of the book. It is excellent. However, Storm’s performance of her own life story is utterly mesmerizing.
This makes sense. Storm Large was born to perform and her life story is what drove her to rock and roll. Anything she writes (including some fantastic rock songs) is meant to be performed.
In addition to the show Crazy Enough, I have enjoyed seven Storm Large rock and roll concerts and seen her twice with full symphonies. With the possible exception of the obviously toned-down symphony performances, Storm Large is a whirlwind of energy on the stage. She launches it all up there and audience members leave the venue as exhausted as she is.
Her performance in the show Crazy Enough has the same energy. It is hard to feel that energy in a book, although Storm tries hard to bring it.
Telling you the show is better than the book may not do you much good since it is unlikely you will have an opportunity to see the show. If I am wrong, and it comes around for you, go see it. In the meantime, you can catch up on the songs by listening to the soundtrack, and I still recommend the book.
Link to Crazy Enough on Powells.com
Link to review of Crazy Enough on this site
Link to essay Poetry In Prose: Middle Finger on this site
Posted by Drevil, 1/17/2013