One Man Show: A Musical Documentary

Running time: 74 mins

In his autobiographical one-man show, A Short Puerto Rican Guy Sings Songs of Angst, John Falcon - a gay, charismatic, struggling performance artist - sings, "I want to be rich, famous and powerful." Someone must have been at least half-listening: In 1999, John is blown away when he wins $45 million in the New York Lottery.

After his sensational press conference makes local headlines, John appears nationally on the front page of major newspapers and as a guest on popular television shows. New Yorker Magazine devotes an entire story to this extraordinary personality. He then becomes the poster boy for the New York Lottery.

John moves into a luxury high-rise condo, replaces his $20 wall hanging with original Edward Hoppers and spends $175,000 fixing his teeth. But as the saying goes, money can't buy happiness. Friends and family begin to question his values, and when an old friend makes a shocking request, he begins to question theirs.

Director Ira Rosensweig stretches the boundaries of the traditional documentary by interweaving telling moments from John's musical show to create an insightful portrayal of this dynamic personality. Often absurd, and with outrageous and touching moments, One Man Show: A Musical Documentary is a contemplation on the question many of us have asked ourselves: "What would I do if I won the lottery?"

Sandy Wolf

MAVERICK COMPETITION