Chase Padgett: The Next Guy

Chase is a reliable and dependable Fringe act, and always a strong recommend. This set mixes strong guitar and vocals with personal, meaningful storytelling. This is a perfect show to share with a Fringe newcomer.

Chase Padgett: The Next Guy is a startlingly original musical storytelling experience. Padgett blends sharp storytelling, rich vocals, and deft guitar work into a performance that lingers long after the lights go down. The show is unflinching about the fallout of divorce, the slide into another unhealthy relationship, and the raw ache of mental-health struggles, yet it never loses its sense of heart. Wry humour and genuine warmth thread through the emotional highs and lows, making the journey both cathartic and entertaining. Memorable, honest, and beautifully performed a must-see for Fringe audiences.

A hilarious and entertaining musical storytelling experience that had me constantly thinking, “WHY?!” or “NO, DON’T DO THAT!” 😂 The story was funny, engaging, and ultimately had a really meaningful message behind it. The combination of storytelling, great singing, and guitar made for a wonderfully memorable performance. Funny, heartfelt, and full of moments that will have you laughing, cringing, and cheering all at once!

I hadn’t heard of Chase Padgett before seeing this show, and I was very impressed by his performance. He’s funny, vulnerable, and authentic in his storytelling, while also delivering some really lovely, well-written songs. I’d definitely like to see more of his work.

Chase Padgett: the Next Guy — a one-man show that truly shows the way we can laugh, cry, and celebrate mental health — both the end result and the journey to get there. A perfect blend of serious topics and comedy, this show is both hilarious and very heartfelt in all the right ways.

“You know that friend that’s smart at spreadsheets but dumb at life? That’s me. I’m that friend.” Chase Padgett himself takes the audience on a comedic but sincere journey through his own life, with fantastic comedy, both beautiful and hilarious songs, and the tales of how red hair is the human warning sign for “if you like this, you’ll die.”

Padgett is an expert at making the audience truly feel like they are a part of the story. His smooth crowd participation and how he spoke to the audience allowed for a very comfortable and enjoyable show. As well, Padgett’s guitar playing and the lighting of the show worked together beautifully to create a fantastic immersive experience.

“You cannot waste the sunshine in your heart waiting for something that will never happen.” If you’re looking for a comedy that will have you laughing but also has a beautiful ending, this is the show for you. :)

As always Chase is an amazing storyteller, and the way he weaves his music in with the story is beautiful. He makes you laugh, and makes you want to go have a word with another redhead on his behalf.

I had goosebumps and not just because the Westbury had the AC cranked. Chase vulnerably shared part of his life post divorce amid some mental health struggles, captivating us with his expert storytelling and outstanding songwriting, guitar, and vocals. It was an emotional ride balanced with humour and some good life advice. The lighting design took an already great show up another notch. Highly recommend!

A funny vulnerable performance that I found so inspiring. Super talented musician as well with some real earworms. I’ll be looking for Chase’s name in future festivals

This is an intensely personal story of mental health recovery told by a master story-teller who is also blessed with a beautiful voice. Alone on a bare stage with only his acoustic, Chase kept the audience spell-bound, delivering the jokes with perfect comedic timing while silencing us appropriately when the story became dark.

Chase never became maudlin, which would have been easy given the subject matter.

It was a delightful hour spent and at the end I felt like he was someone with whom I’d like to go for a beer … or maybe a coffee.

I may have been the only one in the audience who had never previously been to a Chase Padgett show, but I understand why he regularly sells out.

He’ll be back in the area in October for another show and my friends and I have already made plans.