Sink or Swim

I loved the show. I'm a pretty tough critic since I'm a professional writer and I have to say that I was riveted the entire time. ... full review

Authentic, funny, and delicious! What a treasure! ... full review

I had no idea what I was coming to see but when I learned it was a one man show, I was worried. They can be very self indulgent. But Sink or Swim was anything but that. It was witty, funny, moving, insightful and very, very entertaining. I loved it and would highly recommend it! It's about a guy who.. just ...can't swim. And it's both touching and hilarious why, and the sequence of him taking adult swimming lessons from a macho adonis while older ladies and tiny children splash by him with aplomb was priceless. But it's also about loss, and dealing with grief. Yet it never sinks into pathos. This skillful performer and director pull back from that edge every time. ... full review

I laughed, I cried, I ate dessert. It was a wonderful blend of comedy and emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, as did my whole family (husband and kids). I would highly recommend this show to anyone.... full review

Live storytelling with humor and heart, performed and directed with great skill and honesty. ... full review

Anyone who has ever seen Chris Piehler perform knows he is simply charming to watch and his new solo show is no exception! He is an extremely heartfelt performer who knows how to generate the laughs (often at his own expense) and guide his audience through the tougher times. We're right there with him and it's an incredibly rewarding and purely "human" experience. This show is a wonderfully refreshing new approach to dealing with grief, a true treasure. Plus, there are baked goods!... full review

The writing is incredibly smart, funny, and touching. The delivery of these moments was creative and delightful. Enjoyed every minute of this performance!... full review

Great storyteller. Lots of energy, and he provided delicious homemade baked goods. What more could you ask for?... full review

Chris brought to life the comedy and tragedy of familial loss AND the fear of water, interweaving metaphor of both. As someone who has lost someone close, it was deeply cathartic, inspiring and moving yet the comedy grounded you in the balance of life. I laughed and cried continuously. I would recommend this play to anyone but particularly if someone is struggling with loss. Thank you Chris for your heart and vulnerability.... full review

We all have our journeys, our own terrors and regrets, victories and failures, accomplishments and lessons learned. Nine times out of ten this makes up the substance of nearly any one person show, so the question comes up--how akin to our own lives does this person's story feel? Sink or Swim accomplishes this very well in the most straightforward way--by sharing what happened, how he felt, and in an engaging manner let us in on his life. His methods proved clever, even interactive (btw the man can bake!!!). Mostly though, he himself did that which so many of us reflexively avoid--he bled a little bit of his soul in front of us. In this case, he used his own efforts to finally learn how to swim as a guide to a more fundamental issue--fee... full review