PRESS QUOTES AND TESTIMONIALS

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For anyone who's ever felt themselves to be lost in the modern day Labyrinth of office cubicles, sinking ever deeper into a life of irrelevance, CHOP proves that meaning can come from the most unexpected places. The same can be said of Brad McEntire's engaging performance, turning a story about a loner's introduction into the world of amputation fetishists into a universal tale about finding one's own place in life.

~ Martin Dockery, Storyteller and Solo Performer, Creator of “The Bike Trip”

 

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Chop is perfect for the fringe festival format: Just the right size for a piece of storytelling. As a writer and actor, McEntire nicely interweaves the past and present into his tale, which is basically the classic thread of an ordinary human being who never thought he would do anything important with his life. While he may not have invented Post-its, or anything game-changing like that, he does stumble upon interesting twists and turns and becomes important in others' lives. It's a story worthy of being told, for a brief visit, under theatrical lighting.

 

McEntire peppers the story with mythology and intrigue. He's also a likable performer who carries the journey through its natural course. He musters laughter and creates vivid visual images.

~ Mark Lowry, TheaterJones.com (Reviewed March 5, 2010)

 

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Only at a fringe festival could you find a one-man show about finding yourself and love through the power of performing amputations. “Out of the Loop” kicked off last night at Addison’s WaterTower Theatre and I chose to see Chop written and performed by Brad McEntire.

 

We get to see someone challenged by love in a unique way. The question of what you would do for love may be gruesomely specific in this case but the universal is still there. Could you break out of your image of yourself for the love of another? It may be just as hard and just as challenging as chopping off a limb.

~ David Novinski, D Magazine's FrontRow blog (Reviewed March 5, 2010)

 

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CHOP is the account of a character’s own surreal life experiences leading up to the moment when he first appears on stage, nervously greeting the audience – a nervousness that gradually evolves into wonder, excitement and a devilishly keen desire to share a personal gift he discovers about himself…

~ Alec Lasar, EaDoLife.com (Reviewed August 22, 2011)

 

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McEntire has an enjoyable, self-deprecating manner. You feel bad for him, but at the same time wish he would grow a pair, and he seems to feel the same way. It's an excellent internal conflict, which he plays very well.

~ Abby Koenig, HoustonPressBlog (Reviewed August 15,2011)

 

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Chop is an odd tale of coming into one's own. I enjoyed the honesty, the endearing delivery and the unique fetish revealed at the end. They say there's a lid for ever pot. McEntire found his lid though he would still have to make it fit. Perhaps this show will fit you, too.

~ Richard Hinojosa, NYTheatre.com (Reviewed August 17,2012)

 

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Brad McEntire's CHOP goes out on a limb... [CHOP is] a romance on the cutting edge. 

~ Elaine Liner, Dallas Observer (November 5, 2013)

 

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McEntire is adept at layering meaningful cultural commentary and dealing with life's existential crises through an absurdity that always lends the right amount of perspective. In CHOP, McEntire delves into the comically grotesque in his brilliant meditation on finding one's purpose in life.

~ Kris Noteboom, TheaterJones.com (February 2015)

 

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Tonight I saw Brad McEntire's solo show CHOP at The Margo Jones Theatre. CHOP is witty, quirky, and captivating. It is the perfect blend of oddity and humanity, and the simple set and light design are just lovely and quite powerful. It had me laughing one minute, and on the edge of my seat the next. I highly recommend this show. Catch it while you can!"  

~ audience member Grace Keller Scott (February 2015)

 

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Enjoyed it immensely!

~ audience member and fellow solo performer Danny O'Connor (February 2015)

 

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Oh, the beautiful brain of Brad McEntire...

~ audience  member Miller Pyke (February 2015)

 

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