Audible Theater is currently presenting “Sorry For Your Loss” a solo show written and performed by Michael Cruz Kayne at The Minetta Lane Theatre, which approaches the subject of grieving with a touch of humor in an attempt to understand and absorb the process easier. The show straddles a line between stand-up comedy and storytelling, but delves a bit deeper, translating the interaction into more of a non-linear fact-based calendar of events, with a beginning, middle and end. There is no fourth wall, as Mr. Kayne speaks directly to the audience relating his experience of grieving (or not), over the loss of his newly born twin son. It has taken him ten years to come to terms with his grief and before he shares his story with the audience, he warns about the subject matter he is about to discuss, stating it will sometimes provoke laughter, but also may bring you to shed a few tears.

He is dressed in jeans, a grey hoodie, and sneakers, provided by costume designer Rodrigo Kunoz, which makes him and the material more accessible, as he represents the ordinary every person, certainly not privileged, but rather struggling to come to terms. As a former tutor, he rolls out a white board and uses Math and English as examples in finding logic, as one of the ways to cope with his loss. A beautifully executed scene at the end of the show involves lowering a swarm of lightbulbs, a science theory, and a profound lesson in spirituality. Mr. Kayne manages to generate laughter by relying on reality, using a receipt from the funeral home and various sympathy cards as triggers.

Director Josh Sharp has a keen sense for understanding comedy and presenting a solo performer, assuring that the material is never overly satirical or maudlin, but comical and heartfelt. Mr. Kayne is honest, logical, and vulnerable as he navigates his audience through the stages of grief. His story never solicits sympathy but rather empowers his listeners to hopefully deal with whatever they may be experiencing. He is an excellent stand-up comic and an absorbing storyteller who has created a show that is not only humor but also human. Whatever emotions may surface as you listen and watch this seventy-minute monologue, one sure thing is that you will leave the theatre inspired and uplifted.