BWW Review: Nathan Gunn Aims High with FLYING SOLO at the Laguna Playhouse

Apr 2018

Nathan Gunn has one of those deeply lush singing voices that can pierce your heart just as it can effortlessly command the room's attention. He does exactly both with his impressive world premiere one‑man show FLYING SOLO... A must see one‑man show!"

Michael Quintos, Broadway World Los Angeles

One of America’s most accomplished and in-demand Baritones today—who sounds equally at home in the worlds of opera and musical theatre—Nathan Gunn has one of those deeply lush singing voices that can pierce your heart just as it can effortlessly command the room’s attention.

He does exactly both with his impressive world premiere one-man show FLYING SOLO which continues its remaining performances at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, CA through April 22. Written and directed by frequent musical biographer Hershey Felder—and inspired by Gunn’s own real life story thus far—this leisurely paced yet still quite riveting autobiographical musical is a stunner both with its touching, relatable family-centric narrative and Gunn’s entertaining, charismatic performing style.

Using a minimal set (designed by Felder) that bursts to life with the aid of Richard Norwood’s mood enhancing lighting and Brian McMullen’s gorgeous environmental projections, FLYING SOLO recounts important highlights in Gunn’s life that have helped shape the man he’s become: a loyal husband, a doting father to five children, a distinguished Opera star, and, most importantly, a very proud son. Though the show does allow Gunn to showcase his undeniable acting and (of course) singing prowess, the show, at its core, never becomes a grandiose, self-congratulatory cabaret act, but instead reveals itself to be a sweet, endearing love letter to his father.

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