Cheryl Trykv makes Amy Sedaris seem like a circus clown. Her tales of private eyes, girl Fridays, Palm Springs teen runaways and truck-stop lowlifes are peppered with observations about the world that would make anyone else want to cry, but in Cheryl’s hands they’re gems that just need a little spit shine. At heart she’s a storyteller, and her current performance, a monologue of her greatest hits from 1990 to today (many performed at Milly’s Orchid Show), weaves short stories with personal reflections. Whereas the personal asides are a strange blend of self-deprecation and self-affirmation, the stories, as short fiction, are a fit and imaginative revival of the American pulp genre. Cheryl celebrates the absurdity that passes for everyday life. Each sentence offers an unpredictable turn, but each word is precise. To see and hear her speak them onstage is icing. (Jason Foumberg)
Cheryl Trykv performs at Davenport’s, 1383 N. Milwaukee, June 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8pm.
