Review: AN EVENING WITH LAURIE GALLARDO & A FEW DARK TALES - A Riveting Performance

KUTX personality, Laurie Gallardo, is one of our city's treasures. On
March 6, 2015 a select audience was invited to an evening of Austin
icon Gallardo reading several short stories and poems. The standing
room only spectators crowded into Studium on Rosewood and were
enchanted by an evening of intriguing storytelling at its best.

Voice acting is more difficult and intricate than most people imagine.
Having the imagination and talent to do it well is a rare gift. If you
are one of KUTX's listeners, you are likely already a fan of Laurie's
on her regular program or on Austin Music Minute. What you probably have
no idea of is how utterly delightful her true range is as an artist.

In AN EVENING WITH LAURIE GALLARDO & A FEW DARK TALES Gallardo read
the sharp, fresh and darkly hilarious ALPHABET NOIR by The Austin
Chronicle's, Wayne Alan Brenner; followed by poetry by songwriter,
poet and artist, Stephanie Macias (Little Brave) that included EVERY,
HOPE and MY BODY, THE GALAXY, which were absolutely beautiful. The
highlight of the evening was Charlotte Perkins Gilman's THE YELLOW
WALLPAPER, a short story first published in 1892, which has been a
favorite of mine for years. The story is a first person narrative of a
woman driven to extremes by her repressive husband after being
secluded at a country estate for her health. The wallpaper in her room
becomes the focus of her anger and frustration. Often touted as a
feminist piece, THE YELLOW WALLPAPER gives the reader an increasing
sense of claustrophobia and panic. As the story progresses, it paints
a portrait of a desperate soul yearning for freedom and self
expression yet held back by societal expectations and well meaning
relatives. It's a tale of what impossible standards women were (and
still are) held to and the mental stress these standards can impose.
Gallardo's interpretation of the story was pitch perfect, gripping
the audience with rapt attention, vocally conveying the wide range of
emotions so clearly that collective breath was held during the more
intense moments and building to the story's climax perfectly. Even though I've read the short story many times and heard it read many more, tears streamed down my face and my heart broke anew with her magnetic performance.

The good news is that Ms. Gallardo has announced plans to open future performances to a
wider audience. I promise that I will certainly be in attendance when
she does. Keep your eyes open for an announcement in the next few
weeks. Do yourself a favor and make a point of attending, because you
will be as enchanted by the multi-talented Ms Gallardo as I am.

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