Imagine your grandmother’s hearth: weighty incense in the air; plush arm chairs and photo albums; a symphony of shared laughter.

Ranee’s heartfelt and humorous retelling of her life, Rose with no thorns, warps the sterile Gateway Theater stage into exactly that— a home. Through her infectious personality, Ranee welcomes every audience member into the wiles and woes of her vibrant life, navigating from tear-jerking heartache to light-hearted boasts with absolute mastery. Prepare to be completely engrossed in every aspect of her life she shares— not a single moment in this show is dull.

The lasting value of Rose with no thorns is not the instant gratification of Ranee’s bubbly personality nor her impeccable story weaving (though those are absolutely bonuses), rather the wisdom integrated in the contents of Ranee’s life is the true treasure of this show. Everyone will find a tidbit of insight: from new parents to teens with relationship troubles, the vignettes Ranee presents in Rose with no thorns caters to all. Ranee is no hypocrite; the human values of compassion and resilience that she calls the audience towards are exemplified through her own personal experiences all retold in a joyously intimate manner.

Rose with no thorns is a truly universal show. Whether you’re seeking a quick laugh of truly poignant wisdom, Ranee has you covered. No matter your walk of life, I promise you will not leave Gateway Theater empty handed.