Super Second Rate

I came into the show without any background info about Leah. Lovely mix of classical & original music and engaging storytelling. Her singing and playing is beautiful - would’ve loved more music in the show!

In the past years, I have enjoyed a couple of professional musicians’ one-person story-telling works. One is Mona Golabek’s The Pianist of Willesden Lane. I also attended several works by Hershey Felder, known for his “impersonation” of famous composers. Leah Coloff’s Super Second Rate, comparable to Golabek and Felder’s works, has unique and universal elements that can be therapeutic to Coloff herself and her audiences.

https://theatrereviewskurahashi.wordpress.com/2024/08/13/telling-a-story-to-and-with-the-cello-leah-coloffs-super-second-rate/

Leah’s storytelling was compelling and engaging. She is clearly highly talented and has a great, interesting story to tell. The beautiful cello pieces were joyful to listen to- and her own songs were perceptive and quirky! Another Fringe recommended show!

We decided to see Leah based on the great reviews about her show but left disappointed. As a Grammy winner, we were surprised that she didn't play a single complete cello piece, but rather chose to play a few bars here and there, and sang 3 full songs accompanied by the plucking of her cello! Go if you like good storytelling, but if you want to listen to good cello music, give this a miss as no cello music is actually played! 3/5.

Tremendous show full of emotion, mastery, entertaining and yet thought provoking and so touching. I loved the different styles of cello Whether you are a parent or grown-up child (aren’t we all?) it’s a show that’s funny, very relatable, and so naturally delivered, I loved every minute. and I’ve never seen someone sing and play like that. A true artist and inspiration. Thank you Leah. I totally related to your story and loved how you carried us with you and plucked at our heart strings.

Coloff's SUPER SECOND RATE is a masterwork of storytelling, music, and musicianship. Her account of love for and struggle with her demanding first cello teacher -- who happens to be her father -- will resonate with anyone who has conflicting feelings about a strong parent. And her songs and cello playing are sublime.

Experiencing Leah was a true pleasure. I walked into the show unexpectedly, not knowing anything about it, and within the first five minutes found myself alternately laughing out loud and unable to hold back tears. A skilled and practiced artist in so many disciplines, Leah is extraordinary to behold. She effortlessly wove heart, humor, and music into a unique, vulnerable, personal story that also managed to intersect with my own. The show is threaded with heart stopping moments that underscore our deep well of shared human experience. As Leah excavated the stories she’d been handed she was reclaiming her power and inviting us to do the same. What a versatile performer, skilled cellist, captivating storyteller! I'm telling everyone I meet about this show.