Brain Freeze

Comedian John Kawie presents a one-man show about his life following a stroke in this 2010 live performance filmed at New York's Gotham Comedy Club. Kawie was working the city's standup circuit when he suffered a CVA (cerebral vascular accident) in 1996, shortly after getting married. Among other things, Kawie had to learn to walk again and suffers from memory loss (the title refers to the occasional “brain freeze” that occurs when his mind takes a break). “I figured,” he says, “I was never going to perform again,” but with time and therapy, Kawie made it back to the stage, where he talks about the rehab experience, the difficulty of getting dressed without full mobility, and the awkwardness of walking around Manhattan “looking like a weirdo.” A rearrangement of his apartment has helped with his physical limitations, and he relies on Post-It notes to deal with memory issues. But the hiring of a series of healthcare attendants led to a comedy of errors. Kawie recounts his ordeal in lively fashion and keeps self-pity to a minimum, but big laughs are few, and the routine drags when he talks about other patients. Still, those who have had similar experiences may appreciate Kawie's take on the recovery process. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)