In a Nutshell Storytelling is a small, artist-run live storytelling show where, once a month, they fill the Sofia with people listening to other people tell (mostly) true, personal stories. They have four guest storytellers along with their fantastic host, the hilarious Keith Lowell Jensen. Each month the storytellers have a new theme with a wide variety of subject matter, from “Epic Fails” to “NSFW.”
When I attended the show in March, the theme was “All You Can Eat,” and the storytellers included Anne Rutherford, Keith Staten, Steph Rodriguez, and Beau Ryder Davis. I’ve always had a strong belief that food connects people in unexpected and delightful ways. Food is universal, and so are the experiences we have from them, whether they are good, bad, or ugly. Getting to hear these astonishing and sometimes outrageous stories just reinforced my belief even more.
Anne Rutherford’s story involved an unfortunate run-in with beets at her Catholic school when she was 7 years old. Her delivery method and storytelling style had a smile plastered on my face. Not only was her story hilarious—we’ve all had a run-in with food that makes us gag—but the way she was able to build up her story was delightful.
Keith Staten started his story with a song; it was a simple rhyme that almost reminded me of the Muffin Man or Lizzie Borden. Come to find out, he used the song to tease an overweight girl he knew. The story progressed, getting sadder with each sentence until the end when he repeated the song, and I was left feeling haunted.
Steph Rodriguez had a story I didn’t expect but was so moved by. She describes growing up in Bakersfield and getting taken away when she was a child due to abuse. Before going into the group home, she was able to get whatever she wanted from the gas station, something she had never gotten to hear at home. While her time in the group home was not easy, when she got older, she left Bakersfield, became a chef, and then a food critic, and now gets to tell her son, “Get whatever you want” at these restaurants. It was such a tender reminder that food can be how we show love and how it can change our lives in surprising ways.
Beau Ryder Davis gave an unexpectedly hilarious look into a relationship that unfortunately led to a binge eating habit. Beau is a master at making the audience laugh and made something that might be a taboo topic less risky. He gave a vulnerable look into how easy it is to fall into those habits but still gave it humor and lightheartedness.
In between Keith Staten and Steph, there was a brief break, and when we returned, we got to hear a beautifully bittersweet story from Keith Lowell Jenkins about his friend Christian. All the storytellers gave me the full range of emotions, from laughing out loud to tears welling in my eyes; it was an experience I will not forget.
During the break and even after the show, I looked around and saw people eagerly speaking with each other and with the storytellers. In a Nutshell does so much more than just provide entertainment; it connects people with the community. When the world, or even our own personal world, feels so out of control and inhumane, In a Nutshell provides a space for people to gain that humanity back. While your storytellers might not be the same as mine, I am sure you will leave feeling refreshed in the connections you have made and the stories you heard. If you are ready to connect, reflect, and celebrate the power of live storytelling, then don’t miss In a Nutshell monthly at The Sofia. Learn more here.
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