Kendall Is Completely Picture Perfect in LaMama Fringe Show

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By now, the name of Trent Armand Kendall is hardly unfamiliar to New York's cultural intelligentsia or the worldwide sphere, whether for his work on Broadway or concerts here and abroad. But it is with his unequivocally prodigious offering of the one-man musical show Picture Incomplete at LaMama, presented as part of this summer's Fringe Festival, that he is afforded the chance to dazzle as never before.

Even when it reminds us, as in his own words, that "When you're life's a one-man show, you take your curtain calls alone," and all the solitude that comes with that happenstance. To which more than a few in the full-to-bursting audience can relate, your humble writer included.

While splitting the main narrative between the characters of The Storyteller (on the night of his birthday and simultaneous eviction, no less), Sista Goins, neighbor Mavis and The Reverend besides himself, Kendall accomplishes something here that goes way beyond his foreknown talents as a singer and physical acrobat; in this show, he is at long last allowed to display his incredible prowess as an actor beyond belief. The musical aspects, as written by the gentleman in tandem with the outstanding and brilliant composer/lyricist Michael Polese, naturally glisten with an impeccable luster. This is more than partially the result of Greg Ganakas's direction of the evening as well as musical director Adam Klipple (who provides his own stellar talents on keyboards) and both bassist Sam Minaie and Michael Nappi on percussion. The entire effort, in short, simply is given no room to fail; it rises like a phoenix at every possible turn.

Standout spoken moments as well as musical ones include "Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock," "The Other Way," the sensational "I Looked It Up," and "Walk-In Closet," a gentle treatment of not coming out of the closet so much as staying there and simply inviting everybody therein. In addition, "Dr. Feelgood" is beautifully funky (and no, it's not the Aretha Franklin chestnut but something entire new and gorgeously crafted), and Kendall completely slays the throng with "Anyplace But Where You Are" before the brilliantly-anthemic "Should Be" and winding up the evening with "Incomplete."

Picture Incomplete, and Trent Armand Kendall, deserve as much attention as possible, Please, pay attention. And please, pay for a ticket. This is simply too good to miss.