ARE YOU THERE, GEORGE?
IN THE NEWS
IN THE NEWS
FEATURED REVIEW
REVIEWS
Little Village
"Vorhis plays Natalie with gusto...one look is enough to elicit both guffaws and sympathy pains from our teenage years."
vita.mn
"Vorhis, a gifted physical comic who adapts her talents to the performance space with grace and ease."
INTERVIEWS
Press-Citizen
The Gazette
Little Village
"Vorhis plays Natalie with gusto...one look is enough to elicit both guffaws and sympathy pains from our teenage years."
vita.mn
"Vorhis, a gifted physical comic who adapts her talents to the performance space with grace and ease."
INTERVIEWS
Press-Citizen
The Gazette
AUDIENCE COMMENTARY
"Maria made me really feel what her character, Natalie, was feeling. I think anyone who has been twelve will understand Natalie's struggle with her emotions as well as who she wants to be. Maria played this part so well and with such humor that I forgot that she isn't actually a twelve year old living under her bunk bed." - Amelia Richter (14-year-old), MN Fringe
"Simple format, complex emotions. This is a touching performance about a 12 year old girl and her search for spirituality--perhaps not for the right reasons, as anyone who's grappled with the question of God can probably relate to. Vorhis and Busbee have created something wonderfully endearing and honest, smart and tender. See it." - Jordan Thompson, MN Fringe
"Truly wonderful acting brings a young girl's doubts, fears and hopes to life. Funny and touching. Well worth your time."- Mary Wilson, MN Fringe
"Maria Vorhis stars, just her alone on the stage, channeling the tumultuous emotions of young Natalie, trying to navigate a world that often puzzles her, while on a quest to find God, understand her quietly dissatisfied parents, and to grow some boobs. The reality of the character truly lives on Maria's face. It's a very impressive performance. Directed with a deft and delicate touch by Kaitlyn Busbee, Are You There, George? is both funny and sad and touching and true."- Jonathan Hansen, MN Fringe
"'Are You There, George?' conjures up those pre-teen years so many of us suffered through—caught between having left the things of childhood behind but not being ready for the really big things of adulthood. But while Maria Vorhis as 12 year-old Natalie brilliantly evokes the awkward in-betweenness of that age, she’s also holding up a mirror to the adults in the audience, those of us prone to thinking that true happiness lies on the other side of obtaining the perfect car, job, house, or, well, boob-job. Natalie’s project also hilariously skewers those of us who mix our mad pursuit of material pleasure with an equally frenetic search for spirituality. So, for a fun play wise beyond its tender years (and funny too!), don't miss this one!"- Van V., MN Fringe
"This show has a resonance that makes you laugh and breaks your heart at the same time. It leaves me wishing I could have seen this prior to my daughters journey through adolescence."- Jean B, MN Fringe
"Maria Vorhis brings an energy and presence to this stage, and she produces a hit that very few people could pull off. This show is often funny and sometimes heart-warming. Don't miss out!" -Andrew Rakerd, MN Fringe
"Maria is so relatable as a twelve year old who is questioning and dealing with many things evolving in her life, but above all obsessing about not having big boobs. She is a master at making you laugh, yet evoking strong emotions about religion, family and relationships. The set is creative and engaging. The Jewish piece is hilarious!! I am telling all my friends to see this."- Sherri Rutman, MN Fringe
"Maria is a very promising young actress. This was a very moving portrayal of a 12-year-old girl whose parents are going through a divorce. This will resonate with anyone who has a child or parent who has experienced this. A wonderful performance; you need to see this!"- Mark Kingseed, MN Fringe
"If Samuel Beckett was an adolescent girl, he'd be writing this play." -Joyce, Iowa City
"Vorhis is a master at making you laugh, yet evoking strong emotions about religion, family and relationships." - Sherri Rutman, MN Fringe audience
"For this show to resonate with you there is only one necessary qualification : You need to be human." -Joan K., MN Fringe audience
"The intimacy of the performance space (in a living room) and a small group of women drew me in; we all felt that Maria was performing/reliving the particular moment in girlhood where identity is forged in loss and recreated in emerging self-knowledge." -Anonymous, Iowa City
"This is the best thing that will ever happen in your living room. Bring your friends, have a drink, and escape into an intimate world of imagination and the human experience."- Brian, Iowa City
"We were so thrilled to have Maria and Kaitlyn come to our house and present this one woman show. I highly recommend having this in your livingroom. It's so close and personal and so unlike being in an audience with a stage."- Evan, Iowa City
"Better than Bra-way!"- Anonymous, Des Moines, IA
"This performance surpassed any theatrical production I have ever seen- it felt like I was under the bed with Natalie, who was asking me to answer her questions about her young life- parents of all ages will laugh, cry, and occasionally feel regret"- Bill, Boone, IA
"The magic of "Are You There, George?" is that you forget where you are and are transported into Natalie's bedroom and the bitter-sweet journey of this 12-year-old girl. Maria is a gifted actress whose collaboration with Kaitlyn (director) produces a funny, sensitive moment in time." - Susan, Boone, IA
"I laughed, I cried. I'm leaving uplifted. Great theatre." - Bob, Boone, IA
"I was convinced immediately that Natalie was a genuine 12-year-old and never doubted her sincerity and her emotion. Maria is an amazing actress and the play should be seen by anyone who survived adolescence." -Gayle, Boone, IA
"Very good, very personal, yet broad themes that everyone can relate to. The acting was superb!" - Anonymous, Boone, IA
"Maria captured a 12-year-old's flighty, change of mind-mid-sentence demeanor, and facial expressions. Perfect!"- Dede, Boone, IA
"A fantastic experience. Maria plays 12-year-old Natalie trying to deal with the real life issues of her dysfunctional parents--and growing a bosom--all traumatic events! Maria has received excellent direction from Kaitlyn. So funny, sad, silly, and heartbreaking. We need more from these brilliant young women!" - Anonymous, Boone, IA
"This is a wonderfully intimate theatrical experience. Maria is a talented actress and playwright. I could see this play over and over." - Anonymous, Boone, IA
"Being a guy, I didn't expect to cry at this show. Boy was I wrong! Very relatable. Excellent job!"- Darit, Des Moines
"You are reaching people on a physical level, an emotional level, and a spiritual level! Awesome."- Britt, Des Moines
"Maria made me really feel what her character, Natalie, was feeling. I think anyone who has been twelve will understand Natalie's struggle with her emotions as well as who she wants to be. Maria played this part so well and with such humor that I forgot that she isn't actually a twelve year old living under her bunk bed." - Amelia Richter (14-year-old), MN Fringe
"Simple format, complex emotions. This is a touching performance about a 12 year old girl and her search for spirituality--perhaps not for the right reasons, as anyone who's grappled with the question of God can probably relate to. Vorhis and Busbee have created something wonderfully endearing and honest, smart and tender. See it." - Jordan Thompson, MN Fringe
"Truly wonderful acting brings a young girl's doubts, fears and hopes to life. Funny and touching. Well worth your time."- Mary Wilson, MN Fringe
"Maria Vorhis stars, just her alone on the stage, channeling the tumultuous emotions of young Natalie, trying to navigate a world that often puzzles her, while on a quest to find God, understand her quietly dissatisfied parents, and to grow some boobs. The reality of the character truly lives on Maria's face. It's a very impressive performance. Directed with a deft and delicate touch by Kaitlyn Busbee, Are You There, George? is both funny and sad and touching and true."- Jonathan Hansen, MN Fringe
"'Are You There, George?' conjures up those pre-teen years so many of us suffered through—caught between having left the things of childhood behind but not being ready for the really big things of adulthood. But while Maria Vorhis as 12 year-old Natalie brilliantly evokes the awkward in-betweenness of that age, she’s also holding up a mirror to the adults in the audience, those of us prone to thinking that true happiness lies on the other side of obtaining the perfect car, job, house, or, well, boob-job. Natalie’s project also hilariously skewers those of us who mix our mad pursuit of material pleasure with an equally frenetic search for spirituality. So, for a fun play wise beyond its tender years (and funny too!), don't miss this one!"- Van V., MN Fringe
"This show has a resonance that makes you laugh and breaks your heart at the same time. It leaves me wishing I could have seen this prior to my daughters journey through adolescence."- Jean B, MN Fringe
"Maria Vorhis brings an energy and presence to this stage, and she produces a hit that very few people could pull off. This show is often funny and sometimes heart-warming. Don't miss out!" -Andrew Rakerd, MN Fringe
"Maria is so relatable as a twelve year old who is questioning and dealing with many things evolving in her life, but above all obsessing about not having big boobs. She is a master at making you laugh, yet evoking strong emotions about religion, family and relationships. The set is creative and engaging. The Jewish piece is hilarious!! I am telling all my friends to see this."- Sherri Rutman, MN Fringe
"Maria is a very promising young actress. This was a very moving portrayal of a 12-year-old girl whose parents are going through a divorce. This will resonate with anyone who has a child or parent who has experienced this. A wonderful performance; you need to see this!"- Mark Kingseed, MN Fringe
"If Samuel Beckett was an adolescent girl, he'd be writing this play." -Joyce, Iowa City
"Vorhis is a master at making you laugh, yet evoking strong emotions about religion, family and relationships." - Sherri Rutman, MN Fringe audience
"For this show to resonate with you there is only one necessary qualification : You need to be human." -Joan K., MN Fringe audience
"The intimacy of the performance space (in a living room) and a small group of women drew me in; we all felt that Maria was performing/reliving the particular moment in girlhood where identity is forged in loss and recreated in emerging self-knowledge." -Anonymous, Iowa City
"This is the best thing that will ever happen in your living room. Bring your friends, have a drink, and escape into an intimate world of imagination and the human experience."- Brian, Iowa City
"We were so thrilled to have Maria and Kaitlyn come to our house and present this one woman show. I highly recommend having this in your livingroom. It's so close and personal and so unlike being in an audience with a stage."- Evan, Iowa City
"Better than Bra-way!"- Anonymous, Des Moines, IA
"This performance surpassed any theatrical production I have ever seen- it felt like I was under the bed with Natalie, who was asking me to answer her questions about her young life- parents of all ages will laugh, cry, and occasionally feel regret"- Bill, Boone, IA
"The magic of "Are You There, George?" is that you forget where you are and are transported into Natalie's bedroom and the bitter-sweet journey of this 12-year-old girl. Maria is a gifted actress whose collaboration with Kaitlyn (director) produces a funny, sensitive moment in time." - Susan, Boone, IA
"I laughed, I cried. I'm leaving uplifted. Great theatre." - Bob, Boone, IA
"I was convinced immediately that Natalie was a genuine 12-year-old and never doubted her sincerity and her emotion. Maria is an amazing actress and the play should be seen by anyone who survived adolescence." -Gayle, Boone, IA
"Very good, very personal, yet broad themes that everyone can relate to. The acting was superb!" - Anonymous, Boone, IA
"Maria captured a 12-year-old's flighty, change of mind-mid-sentence demeanor, and facial expressions. Perfect!"- Dede, Boone, IA
"A fantastic experience. Maria plays 12-year-old Natalie trying to deal with the real life issues of her dysfunctional parents--and growing a bosom--all traumatic events! Maria has received excellent direction from Kaitlyn. So funny, sad, silly, and heartbreaking. We need more from these brilliant young women!" - Anonymous, Boone, IA
"This is a wonderfully intimate theatrical experience. Maria is a talented actress and playwright. I could see this play over and over." - Anonymous, Boone, IA
"Being a guy, I didn't expect to cry at this show. Boy was I wrong! Very relatable. Excellent job!"- Darit, Des Moines
"You are reaching people on a physical level, an emotional level, and a spiritual level! Awesome."- Britt, Des Moines