Review by David Marlowe

"Ms. Funkhouser is one of the brightest stars currently rising on the horizon of Colorado regional theatre. Go and see this superb new talent."-David Marlowe, Out Front

Murphy Funkhouser and Christopher Willard prove to be an unbeatable combination in the creation of “Crazy Bag,”the one-woman-show over at Vintage Theatre that is written and performed by Ms. Funkhouser. Christopher Willard directs the piece with his usual professional panache. Willard is that theatre genius whose work Denver theatre goers get to see all too infrequently.

Recently he decided to direct this script penned by Murphy Funkhouser. Willard’s direction of “Crazy Bag,” allows the actor/playwright’s memories and issues to live with vibrant urgency. The play itself has a good deal of comic material at its beginning, and then takes on a more serious tone near the end.

The adorable Murphy Funkhouser is one of the most expressive and charismatic actors you will ever see. She has a smile that lights up the room! Her comic timing is superb. The playwright envisions herself as a woman with “baggage.” Emotional baggage! We have all got it! The way she deals with it is through humor … and a few tears. So Mr. Willard has assembled a wide array of suitcases, valises and well, crazy bags which surround the central character. Their contents point to issues and memories of the past. There are a couple of moments in the second half of the show which get a little heavy. You will see what I mean when you get there. One wishes for a bit more of the comic to lift the viewer after one feels the devastation of the issues lying hidden in the bigger trunks.

Ms. Funkhouser is one of the brightest stars currently rising on the horizon of Colorado regional theatre. Go and see this superb new talent. The show has already been extended once. Don’t miss it.