The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers is an interactive theatrical production that follows the life of Television sensation Marc Summers and all of the highs, and lows of his life thus far. This 90-minute production, written by Alex Brightman and directed by Chad Rabinovitz is a fun-filled, one-of-a-kind, intimate experience that feels both like a game show and a musical, with original music by Drew Gaspirini.
The show is packed full of 90s nostalgia as Summers is best known for his work on Nickelodeon: Double Dare but features mentions of beloved classics such as Unwrapped and other beloved shows Summers has worked on over the years. His resume of work: pages long. Yet what about him? Who is Marc Summers? The life and slimes of Marc Summers blend the natural love for his familiar television persona and the unknown about him as a whole. It’s light, yet personal, and full of slime.
What is it about?
Marc Summers is back in an autobiographical theatrical experience detailing his life both personally and professionally. He is most notably known for his work on Nickelodeon’s Double Dare but has also appeared on shows such as Restaurant: Impossible, Ultimate Recipe Showdown, and many more. He is a household name for many but how much do we really know about him? That’s exactly what this production dives into.
As Marc recounts his rise to fame in the world of television he explores the many stages of life that allowed him to get to where he is now: staring in his own Off-Broadway show. He explores his early childhood to adult life in short, to-the-point flashbacks, with intimate looks into his struggle with mental illness. This narrative structure is coupled with moments of audience participation in typical Marc Summers fashion: flashy game show fun or as he calls them “physical challenges.”
What did you think?
This piece is shockingly heartfelt. The show's marketing led me and seemingly many others to believe it was a game show, which it certainly was a combination of, yet it was heartfelt and unexpectedly personal. I would dare say you’ll be moved by the show's emotional appeal.
The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers' targeted age demographic is younger yet it still appeals to a fairly wide range of people: Children growing up with millennial parents, the parents themselves, and maybe even others who spent time with Marc during his run on Food Network, albeit the latter is only briefly explored. I did not grow up with Double Dare personally, so I had minimal exposure to this beloved franchise yet I still found that I had a fun experience.
The conversation about Obsessive-compulsive disorder was beautifully done yet momentarily unclear whether the danger and fight were purely mental. As mentioned previously, the show intends to target a younger audience, and it does incredibly well with the small exception in that some moments detailing the physical sensations of fear felt by Summers, the presentation made the dangers seem real rather than mental. His fears are very real yet they are presented in ways that could be confusing, especially to a younger audience, and could even be frightening.
Brightman’s writing and treatment of the conversation on OCD highlights the still ongoing stigmas but gives Summers the grace and ability to explore his own story as an adult. He spends a great deal of the show explaining that he didn’t know for quite a while what OCD was yet when he learned and spoke up it felt as if people wanted to silence him. By leading with those reactions Brightman’s script encourages and allows Summers’ to reclaim his narrative. Furthermore, this production touches on the unseen truths of the 90s television scene. It wasn’t perfect and even with a legacy like Summers’ we can see that. Mental illness and stigma were raging rampant even on the most seasoned veterans of the business yet there was no conversation or even acknowledgment of the struggles behind the camera.
Ultimately this show was a pleasant surprise, I, like many, expected to enter a slime-filled fun hour and a half, yet I was presented with honesty and heart while still leaning into Summers' outrageously fun stage presence. This show is a wonderful experience if you are a fan of some classic Nickelodeon slime or looking for an honest conversation on the downside of the 90s television world. This show at first glance is just a silly yet fun experience but with the addition of the conversation on mental illness, it has an additional layer to fill in the gap.
Brightman's script is on full display, and Summers is confident and conquering his fears nightly. The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers’ is a wonderfully unique experience, not quite as flashy as a big-budget musical, but ultimately worth the trip up to New World Stages. Especially if you are familiar with Summers or Double Dare.
Comments