More Reviews

"Derek Reid - Back as Barack."

The Austin Chronicle - December 12 2008

Sure, the housing market is glutted, the stock market is in free fall, and every corporation in America is looking for a handout – to paraphrase Prince, the economy is tanking like it's 1929. Still, it's a good time to be a light-skinned black man in America. Just ask Derek Reid. Shortly after graduating from Bowie High in 1992, Reid started working open mics at the Velveeta Room. "I'd always wanted to be a comedian, but I wasn't sure how to go about doing that," says Reid. "So I'd go down to Sixth Street, you know, and I would notice these people in these windows performing from the street, and I was like, 'What is this?'"

"Esther's Follies: Forever Young"

The Austin Chronicle, 26 May 2000 - By Robert Faires

From the shit-eating grin on his face, you get a real good sense that our White House-huntin' governor feels this presidential debate is really going his way. His presumptive-Republican-nominee head bobs gleefully as lumber-limbed opponent Al Gore extends a log-like arm and assures the crowd, "I can make our economy keep growing! I can make our country come together as one! I can make America great!" Then the Guv responds emphatically, "And I can make a bong out of a Dr. Pepper can and some tinfoil!"

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"Esther's gang sure to bring laughs."

The Austin American-Statesman, February 14, 1996 - By Hector Saldana

There is only one thing predictable about Esther's Follies, an 18-year Austin institution: It's rip-roaringly funny. Their new show is no exception.
It is wickedly fast-paced. One moment there's a vampy '50s parody; the next, Mick Jagger (actor Joel McKean) is strutting his stuff in diapers, all in the context of an old movie-house matinee with only piano accompaniment. With this hilarious bunch, it's all you need.

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"Esther's Most Loyal Laughers"

The Austin Chronicle, July 14, 1995 - By Robert Faires

They love to laugh. Often. More than anything, that's why they visit that corner of Sixth Street again and again. The Follies always make them laugh. They are the Esther's regulars, the hardcore fans of Austin's musical comedy revue, the ones who have seen Shannon Sedwick and crew dozens of times, who visit them at least a few times every year (some many more than that), who bring friends and family along to baptize them in the joys of the Follies. In the aquatic mindset that has always been central to this troupe that takes its name from swim star Esther Williams, they're the folks in the deep end of the Pool.

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