Good golly, Miss Molly! Take a trip… down MDMA lane, better yet, roll down that lane with Michael Wanzie.
In the first “Wanzie with a Z,” Wanzie was flanked by two actors portraying his younger self, sharing his life story from birth to present day-ish.
The “Rave Years” takes a different approach, although still a master storyteller, this show lacked the gut punching emotion we got from the first, which is perfectly fine. But it still pulled from real life experiences of Wanzie, who observes the world much differently and more detail oriented than most.
Plus, we all needed something more light hearted and yet still very real, especially after these last two years.
At the start of the show, videos from the late ’90s play, these are news stories and clips from shows like “Donahue” where those interviewed talk about their experiences with MDMA or better known as the party drug ecstasy. A very entertaining intro as to what we were about to experience.
Wanzie regales the audience with various stories of his experiences with the drug as well as brings up some well-known locals in the community into his stories as well.
Partly educational (for those without the knowledge of the drug) and still very much entertaining, the whole experience felt like sitting at a bar and having a cocktail with Wanzie.
Despite a full audience, when Wanzie talks to the audience, it always feels like he’s just looking at and speaking directly to you. He has a way of being very genuine with his audience and unapologetically Michael Wanzie.
Despite the lack of glowsticks and shirtless circuit party boys, it was an interesting trip to see someone’s different point of view of the rave culture and the use of a party drug. If drug use or the rave culture is not your thing, it’s still worth attending for the laughs and seeing a grown man suck on a pacifier.
“Wanzie With a Z Part 2: The Rave Years” plays in the Silver Venue through May 29. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit OrlandoFringe.org.
