Press and Publicity
"The show itself elicits a host of responses, including laughter, nostalgia, shock, and cringe. Kuerzi’s performance isn’t an exact recreation of Depp but rather an important reflection on celebrity, excess, and self-destruction — and our role as consumers of it all." -Steph Farr, Philadelphia Inquirer
“This irreverent satire of celebrity culture, which Kuerzi crafted with playwright Val Dunn, represents the full potential of the do-it-yourself theater aesthetic.”
“So, skip the show if you don’t want to throw gold coins at the stage whenever the title of a Johnny Depp movie you’ve seen is spoken. Stay home if you don’t want to join strangers in a sea shanty. And if you want your Johnny Depp fandom to remain unspoiled by uncomfortable truths, this is not the show for you. But if you don’t fall into any of those categories, order yourself a drink and enjoy the last outing of one of the most entertaining and enlightening shows in recent memory.” -Cameron Kelsall, Broad Street Review
“So, skip the show if you don’t want to throw gold coins at the stage whenever the title of a Johnny Depp movie you’ve seen is spoken. Stay home if you don’t want to join strangers in a sea shanty. And if you want your Johnny Depp fandom to remain unspoiled by uncomfortable truths, this is not the show for you. But if you don’t fall into any of those categories, order yourself a drink and enjoy the last outing of one of the most entertaining and enlightening shows in recent memory.” -Cameron Kelsall, Broad Street Review
“Kuerzi is a natural entertainer and emcee for the show. She effortlessly gets the audience on her side from the first introductions and “through the magic of theatre” transitions into the controversial Depp with ease. Her take on Depp in a low-rent Jack Sparrow outfit, chugging from a bottle of wine and occasionally slurring his speech is disarmingly charming, and makes you swoon for him, only until you realize what a garbage person he is.” -Frank Schierloh, Phindie
"Johnny Depp: A Retrospective on Late Stage Capitalism is in some ways the perfect show to see early on at the Fringe. The work-in-progress tone lowers the pressure in the room but indicates huge potential, and to watch a show like this recalls the sense of imagination that the Fringe is really all about. With a little more adventure away from what is perhaps obvious about the subject matter, and a bigger audience for Kuerzi to bounce off, this show could hit brilliant heights... Kuerzi creates an atmosphere of comfort, making even a small audience and the prospect of forced involvement seem positively enjoyable.... Even as it is, for light entertainment value and Kuerzi’s committed performance, Johnny Depp is worth a trip down from the mile into New Town."
-Beverly Sproats, Broadway Baby
-Beverly Sproats, Broadway Baby
"Carrying around a bottle of wine, Kuerzi captures Depp’s Keith Richardsesque swagger. Kuerzi-Depp begins proceeds by asking us to name our favorite movie starring the actor. I struggled to think of his roles, but seeing the character run through his career film-by-mediocre-film, I realized how much of his up-and-down oeuvre I’ve subjected myself to over the years. I’m complicit. Depp’s excessive spending exemplifies late stage capitalism, but so does our patronage of his work in the form of movie tickets or Netflix subscription, interest in his lifestyle, and willingness to wait on the street to catch a glimpse of celebrity.
We’re all fucked, enjoy the show."
-Chris Munden, Phindie
We’re all fucked, enjoy the show."
-Chris Munden, Phindie
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"Utterly ridiculous and joyous (and dear-god, MIND-BOGGLINGLY comprehensive!) Beyond the hilarity, the research for this show was next-level. Excellent and very fun crowd-work, too. Plus you get to throw s^*t at semi-regular intervals during the show. Go see it!"
-Rich Templeton |
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"One scene in particular intrigued me. Depp was cutting paper into small pieces that tumbled down like snowflakes over Dunn’s head, which was covered by two frizzy, differently-colored wigs on top of each other. “Winona Ryder,” someone shouted. “Edward Scissorhands,” screamed someone else. I had no idea what it was all about. Call me crazy, but I loved the show."
-Henrik Eger, Phindie |
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"The trawl through Depp's catalogue of films and shenanigans is amusing and details a slice of pop-cultural history."
-Gareth K. Vile, The List |
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"Kuerzi’s JOHNNY DEPP: A RETROSPECTIVE ON LATE-STAGE CAPITALISM is a case study on the amount of ego and money steered into self-destruction, and what seems almost sacrificial."
-Chuck Schultz, Phindie |
"Johnny Depp: A Retrospective on Late Stage Capitalism is both exactly what you’d expect it to be and also something else entirely... Jenna Kuerzi is uniformly funny as “Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow as Johnny Depp as Late Stage Capitalism as Jack Sparrow”. Which is lucky, as she is essentially carrying the show.... If you’re looking for a Fringe show which will give you plenty of laughs without emptying your wallet, while also providing some top-notch improvisational comedy, then Johnny Depp: A Retrospective on Late Stage Capitalism definitely could be for you."
-Heather Simmons, Deadline
-Heather Simmons, Deadline
