By Chelsea Mortensen
In The Nice Guy, nothing holds Anthony Lovato back from speaking his truth at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In his original one-man show, Anthony Levato tackles the taboo subject of excessive politeness, shame, bottled up aggression, and sexual desire in our world’s stereotypical nice guys– the ones who everyone seems to like, or at least feel bad for, but never really respects. Laying his secrets and mistakes bare and walking the audience through his own perspective on “Nice Guy” characters throughout history, Lovato invites the audience to share their own thoughts and feelings. Whether it’s his romantic history neatly listed on a giant notepad, re-enactments of scenes from his childhood, or comedic representations of historical events, he presents it all. The overall experience feels like a very vulnerable TED talk, insightful and empowering.
I had a chance to meet with Mr. Lovato after the show and ask about his journey toward shedding his “Nice Guy” persona. He further discussed how he shared his experience by teaching in the Salt Lake chapter of the No More Mr. Nice Guy Meetup Group. He sought to empower other men by exploring neglected topics like healthy male friendships, consensual sexual assertiveness, and living an authentic life. “We feel like a lot of men have lost their identity and their purpose is out of the window”.
What struck me the most in the August 3rd performance I attended was the courage to have his mother in the audience as he dived deep into the childhood experiences that made him suppress his own needs, fear, abandonment, and feel shame for his own manhood as he matured. Sitting in the audience watching a grown man look at the woman who raised him and say, “I know she did the best she could” is utterly cathartic and feels like a challenge for us all to live with more integrity and bravery.
The show provides an exposing and much-needed male perspective at a time when we re-examine the power dynamic between genders. Please take the chance to see it if you can!
Anthony Lovato presents The Nice Guy at The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival.
August 4 3:00PM, August 9 9:00PM, August 10 4:30PM, August 11 3:00PM, 2019
Festival Admission $5, show tickets $10
The Gateway, 400 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
Box Office Coordinator, Melissa Salguero: gslfboxofficestaff@gmail.com
The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival Facebook page
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