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Ranch Dressing and Other Coping Mechanisms is the latest solo show from Chicago comedian Kelsie Huff. Ranch Dressing examines the absurd and painful complexities of wrestling with alcoholism.
While hiding in a crusty toilet, Huff reflects upon her hilarious and troubled history with booze. Ranch Dressing follows Huff’s childhood struggles; from imaginary sharks in her childhood bathroom, to a violent Santa Claus - and builds to her adult anxieties such as colorful, tiny underwear and road trip games gone awry. Bouncing from past to present Huff’s trademark storytelling style leads the audience through a maze of loud mouth characters, insane family antics and raw revelations. Using her unique comic voice, Huff presents a world where vice is apart of life, violence is nonchalant, and the biggest challenge is accepting who you are. |
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Forced to leave the comforting solitude of the windy city Huff finds herself back in the claustrophobia of her mother’s mini van on route to her grandfather’s funeral. As the odd characters of her small town past gather around the casket her sarcastic philosophy of survival weakens. Through a barrage of big haired aunts, school bus carnage, and a booze hound father Huff must struggle to find family forgiveness in one dysfunctional family tree. produced by: square product theatre
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Some girls dream about their wedding day. Others long to play with ponies. Only a select few name and collect their scabs, speak to imaginary rodents in their minds, and make mortal enemies out of troll dolls. Kelsie Huff brings the story of how a misplaced tomboy blossoms into an even more awkward adult. "Bruiser: Tales From a Traumatized Tomboy" tackles the hilarity of adolescent and adult humiliation using Huff's trademark blend of uproarious characters, crushing and unavoidable hereditary influences, and engaging storytelling. produced by: square product theatre
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This 50 minute stand up show is a collection of rude, embarrassing, and hilarious tales, told from the perspective of a loud mouth gal just trying to make her way through the Windy City. Along the way we encounter hobo genius Dr. Grizz, public transportation powered by manic hiccups, and the meaning of tattoos. Huff (mostly bravely) takes on the great mermaid debate, Gap fitting rooms, OA, and the Amish. No matter what terrifying people or disastrous circumstances land in her path, this Midwestern gal gets up, brushes herself off, and moves on to the next brilliantly terrible moment. produced by: square product theater
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DENVER POST ARTICLE DAILY CAMERA ARTICLE Huff owns this story. With a Sedaris-like attention to detail and a playfulness that’s infectious, she continually serves up the type of unexpected turns that smack of honest-to-God truth. "Huff pulls you in with wide-eyed physicality and razor-sharp focus. True to her best comedic forbears, she plays the absurd so pitch perfectly that when the climax arrives, it feels less like a major tonal shift than a revelation of something we knew was always just offstage. Undoubtedly, this show (wo)man is headed for an even bigger stage. DON’T MISS" - Dan Granata; Time Out Chicago It's a darkly funny show that takes an unexpectedly poignat turn. "Her performance crackles with life and at its very best, gets into rare reaches of emotional ambiguity. Huff leads us into laughing and crying territory, but not in the Joni Mitchell way. More in a Bart-Simpson's-world-gone-bad kind of way." - Mark Collins, The Daily Camera A high energy Kelsie Huff takes us to her grandfather’s funeral in small-town Illinois in HUFFS, a monologue well served by her unique perspective, vivid imagination, and willingness to embarrass herself. "The memories aren’t always sunny, but they deliver some hearty laughs along with the bitterness and guilt." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -Jenn Goddu; Chicago Reader |
Bruiser reel – click to watch the video
After last year's stellar "Huffs," Chicago's Kelsie Huff returns with another standout performance. "It starts with her stint in Girl Scouts, and ends at a church camp, where she and her Broadway musical-loving pal are harassed by the beautiful kids. Among the many gems we encounter are Huff's impressions of her Hostess-delivery-truck-driving Grandma, a visit to the roller rink, and the time she delivered payback to the (pretty) mean girls. Huff, who I think is a big-time talent, mixes a friendly Midwestern manner with a darker, slap-your-face-funny edge. They say the best comedy comes from painful places, and Huff is a fearless chronicler of the awkward and the excruciating, turning it into comic gold." - Mark Collins, The Daily Camera Huff animates her 60-mintue solo show with an elastic face and a striking gaze... "the irises of her aquamarine eyes popping from the whites like double exclamation points...wicked sense of timing and knack for surprise." - Chicago Reader This is unflinching, thoughtful, and relentless self-reflection matched with master storytelling: poignant at times, yet always achingly funny. "Huff creates a cast of fully realized characters who are loveable, quirky, and hateful — sometimes, all three simultaneously." 4 out of 4 star show - J. Scott Hill, Chicago Stage Review |
WESTWORD ARTICLE BOULDER WEEKLY ARTICLE The People Have Spoken: Jason This show is hands down the best Fringe show I have seen this year. I laughed and laughed, and Kelsie’s ability to ad lib hilarious stuff based on interactions with the audience was mind blowing. I am still laughing at the steak knife and fork tattoo interaction. This is one funny lady and one funny show, and everyone should see it. I wish I had seen her shows in previous festivals because she’s awesome. Don’t miss out on your chance to see her. Bob Imagine that your heart stops and all of your loved ones are hi-fiveing it to keep you alive. Is that so terrible? No, its a glorious miracle. Lisa This show is exactly the opposite of terrible. Completely hilarious and brilliant. Kelsie is crazy funny. I’m going back. Kat For Real you guys! I almost peed my pants laughing so hard…. White Horse and Flower Power tattoos forever. Please come back to the Fringe girl | ||
The People Have Spoken:
Annie N. She huffed and puffed and blew me away!! This woman is RAD! She has the strongest stage presence of anyone I’ve seen in a long time. Commanding the whole audiences attention the entire time, she dived deep into some intense topics but ALWAYS made the audience laugh with her incredible energy. COME SEE THIS PLAY! I'M OBSESSED! Abby Kelsie Huff is a mixed bag of extraordinary talent. A truly high level theatrical show on every level. I believe this should win the Best of the overall Fringe shows. Diane R. Kelsie is able to deliver the poignancy and humor of life stories, and lands every line, with a rhythm and pulse, that captivates the audience. Her writing and performance is personal and extends into our universal humanity. Bobby R. For two Fringes I have enjoyed Kelsie’s storytelling and have loved the journey she has taken us on every step of the way! |
The People Have Spoken:
Frank My face was sore from laughing after seeing this show. Also has a really serious undertone at parts, while still maintaining the humor, which makes it really interesting and all the more relative. I loved it. Michael & Fran When a brilliant child really pays attention, we get a Kelsie Huff. She is a midwestern intangible cultural asset. Rage on girl, you earned it!!!!! Jessica absolutely, positively, laugh-out-loud funny! Kelsie is a rock star, but better actually because you can relate to her! Keep on rockin it out girl! If you miss this show, well then you should kick yourself, several times!!! |
The People Keep Speaking:
Sheri S. It’s terrible. Don’t go see it. That way I can get a seat every time! OMG! The Huff always brings it! I was cry/laughing at the “tourist/(won’t say, will leave as surprise)” scene she acts out. Kelsie is a true talent! But you knew that already. Sal Kelsie is funny, effin’ (cue gasp) funny. This show differs from her earlier shows in that it does not lurch from poignant to side-splitting, but this supple stand-up show carries on with the Huff tradition in making ample use of self-deprecation, crazy family characters, and elastic facial expressions. As a one-time Chicagoan I loved her observations about life in that great city and audience zingers. If you don’t see this show you will be turned into a ferret. Long live the Pee Train! |
videos by: Jason Madeja
