Portia and Ellen

I loved this show! Everything we've seen about Ellen's cancellation has been pretty one-sided and two-dimensional. Until now. In this funny, yet thought-provoking play, Sarah Hartley's depiction of Ellen brings all the humor of the real thing, but also brings the sadness and fear in the most poignant moments.

Heather Seltzer's snappy book and the overall fast-paced structure and staging of the show are all in service of this full picture of a Fallen Star. And her Portia's evolution is expertly played throughout.

Maybe the most fun parts of the show are when the "Ellen" show music ("HAVE A LITTLE FUN TODAY!") comes on and Ms. Hartley comes out with her (truly uncanny) resemblance to Ellen doing her signature dance. We may never have another chance to sit in the real Ellen's audience again, but here's hoping a lot more get to experience the Portia & Ellen edition!

5 outta 5!

Wow--what an original play with unexpected moments! It's actually hard to call it a play, as it's more of a funny, poignant, and thought-provoking multimedia experience masquerading as a comedy.

Even if you're not interested in Ellen and Portia as people, you'll love this mostly-fictional account of their lives during and after a series of events. I didn't expect to laugh so hard, nor think so much--all in less than an hour.

The play is performed by talented actors who play multiple characters, and the acts are SO funny one moment to the next. Yet one minute you're laughing, and then next you're contemplating real behaviors and situations in life. It's written beautifully, and acted so well. Ellen even dances with the audience, and it's WILD!

I won't give away the ending, but it almost had me in tears. If this is still playing when this review gets posted, GO SEE IT! These two have a big future ahead of them.