To anyone who has been single — and not for a couple of months, but for at least a couple of years like myself — the Orlando Fringe show The Chronic Single’s Handbook will be totally relatable to some of your worst date scenarios, pickup lines or hookups. The one-man show starring Randy Ross, told from a detached, first-person point of view, is inspired by a trip that Ross takes after being laid off, where he travels halfway around the world in search for the perfect girl.
The show is broken down into acts, where Ross moves about the stage as he transitions his way around the world through his show. Playing a single and very hypochondriac man, Ross embodies his characters through every word, movement and recollection of his travels and adventures (or lack of with some) with the exotic women he meets.
Along the way, Ross meets a very misleading, blonde Russian who loves whiskey and thinks he looks like Bruce Willis. But when Ross attempts to put the moves (the very limited and one move he seems to have) on her, she leaves. And he gets nothing out of the 2 a.m. Greek Ferry adventure. He then is tricked in Cape Town in South Africa by a young mother who only really wants him so he can help support her child. After this encounter, Ross enters a domination-type affair with a woman, which leaves him unsure of their relationship.
By now, I almost felt ashamed to ever think I had a bad date — because Ross’ character makes even your most abnormal, dysfunctional relationship seem sane. And on that note, Ross still continues his journey for the perfect woman.
Ross continues to stumble upon nutty women until he finally finishes his trip. When he returns to the United States, he declares and comes to the conclusion: “There are worse things in life than being single.” But of course, right when Ross is settling down with the idea of dying alone and super single, he runs into the girl of his dreams.
Ross puts on a delightful show that kept the crowd laughing at all the right times. A Fringe show that is worth seeing — for the chronically single or very married alike.
