Archive Review: John Waters' 2024 Show The Naked Truth Wows At Minneapolis’ The Parkway Theater
The legendary gay filmmaker delivered both a riotously hilarious and powerfully poignant performance onstage this past Saturday night.
Review by Derek Murawski-Harguth
Photo by Greg Gorman
This past Saturday night, November 2, John Waters — the undisputed king of trash cinema — graced the stage of Minneapolis’ The Parkway Theater with his latest one-man show, The Naked Truth. Waters’ show is a provocative, sometimes surprisingly tender exploration of his life, career, and queer perspective on the world. The show is an edgy, yet crowd-pleasing, must-see for Waters fans and newcomers alike.
Saturday’s performance was a masterclass in storytelling. Waters effortlessly wove together anecdotes from his childhood, early filmmaking days, and rise to cult icon status. When he stumbled between subjects later in the show, he made a joke of it. That was his quick wit at work. Naturally and casually elevating the show on a meta level. Always bringing down the fourth wall and staying connected to his live audience.
His wit and precision as a seasoned speaker shone through as he delivered with ease. However, beneath the slick surface of the blunt humor lies a deeper exploration of themes such as the nature of the human condition and its intersectionality his and others’ celebrity status. Divine, Mink Stole, Melanie Griffith and more performers from his iconic company of actors, the Dreamlanders, were mentioned.
A suavely dressed and organic performer, Waters commanded the stage with a palpable blend of charm, irreverence, and vulnerability. His one-man show was filled with laugh-out-loud moments, but it also offered poignant and thought-provoking reflections on a myriad of subjects. From politics to humorous takes on sex and drugs, this show had it all.
The Naked Truth is not merely a must-see for Waters’ fandom; it’s also an excellent introduction to his world for Gen Z and other newcomers. Whether you’re familiar with his films or not, this hilarious and insightful show will enlighten you. Public speaking at its most enthralling and entertaining. 5/5 stars
