Faking It Reviews

  • “In 15 years of reviewing shows at the Fringe, I don’t remember ever seeing a performer with as much energy as Atwood. Hilarious.”

    THE LANCET, 2025

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  • “Hilarious...brilliant. A wildly energetic storyteller.”

    CITY AM 2025, 4 STARS. 7 OF THE BEST SHOWS TO BOOK NOW.

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  • “Gymnastic style movement...the energy and pace of the performance never drops.”

    DAILY BUSINESS MAGAZINE, 2025. 4 STARS

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  • “Slick, clever, and brilliantly performed.”

    THE DEREK AWARDS, 2025. 4.5 STARS

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  • "Olivia Raine Atwood delivers a high-energy, highly entertaining show."

    KPBS SAN DIEGO 2025

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  • "One of my favorite shows this year. A rapid fire, hilarious, finely tuned show. Fabulous."

    CINEBETH, SAN DIEGO ARTS & CULTURE 2025

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  • "Terrific storytelling...accomplished stand-up, storytelling, solo theatre mash-up."

    FRINGE REVIEW 2024, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SHOW, 5 STARS

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  • "Excitable, manic, vivid...dares the audience to blink first."

    THE REVIEWS HUB 2024, 4.5 STARS

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  • "Absolutely brilliant. Marvelous & mesmerizing...a hurricane composite of top class acting."

    MUMBLE UK 2024, 4 STARS

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  • "Crazily funny."

    THE DEREK AWARDS, 2024. 4.5 STARS

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OOPS Reviews

  • "Atwood is very likeable, energetic, engaging and self-deprecating."

    BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE, 2025. COMEDY.CO.UK RECOMMENDED.

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  • “Flawless... electric wordplay & hypersonic physicality. Olivia Raine Atwood is here to stay.”

    MUMBLE UK 2025. 4 STARS

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  • "Side-splitting one-woman comedy...hilarious'”

    THE EDINBURGH REPORTER, 2025. Top 9 Shows To See.

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  • "Exemplary. This show will have you laughing non-stop. Olivia is truly a top tier performer."

    STAGE TAKES LOS ANGELES 2025

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  • “Atwood’s star is on the rise. Hilarious, high-energy performance. I hit the jackpot."

    LA HIDDEN GEMS 2025.

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  • “Olivia is HILARIOUS. Non-stop laughter.”

    HE REVIEWS THEATER, 2025.

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  • “Hilarious look into the world of matching...very funny.”

    THE DEREK AWARDS, 2025. 4.5 STARS.

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Liv & Mags Reviews: 15 Villainous Fools, 2016

  • “A riotous good time. “

    — NEW YORK MAGAZINE

  • “Shakespearean scholar and novice can both enjoy this riotous showcase for two performers with standout comedic timing.”

    — TIME OUT NEW YORK

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  • “The Bard has yet another win to tally."

    — DC Theatre Scene

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  • “These two are the millennial answer to Tina and Amy...a modern-day Lucy and Ethel. “

    — STAGE BUDDY

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  • “You’ll be sure to have a blast with these two wonderful clowns. ”

    — THEATER IS EASY

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  • “Atwood and Seymour are terrific clowns...no question you'll find yourself perhaps laughing more than you ever have.”

    — CURTAIN UP

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  • "The Comedy of Errors' is neither Shakespeare’s most popular play nor his most memorable, but with writing, choreographing, directing, and acting from Maggie Seymour and Olivia Atwood, one can’t help but wonder, why not?"

    - DC Metro Theater Arts

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PRESS for LIV

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS for FAKING IT & OOPS

TOP PICK: San Diego Fringe, KPBS San Diego

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WINNER: Best Solo Show, WhatTheFringe?! Podcast

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WINNER: Pick-of-the-Fringe, Greenwich Theatre

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WINNER: Hollywood Fringe 2024 Encore Spotlight Series

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NOMINEE: StageCraft Selects, Hollywood Fringe 2024

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WINNER: Top Ten Solo Shows, Stage Takes Los Angeles

TOP PICK: San Diego Fringe, KPBS San Diego • WINNER: Best Solo Show, WhatTheFringe?! Podcast • WINNER: Pick-of-the-Fringe, Greenwich Theatre • WINNER: Hollywood Fringe 2024 Encore Spotlight Series • NOMINEE: StageCraft Selects, Hollywood Fringe 2024 • WINNER: Top Ten Solo Shows, Stage Takes Los Angeles

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Audience Reviews of OOPS at HOLLYWOOD FRINGE

“Best of the Fringe! Olivia’s show is so funny, so charming, so brilliantly physicalized — and as a performer she is so likeable. It features not only her personal stories of romance but also starts with a long, physical story about running across a bridge . . . as a metaphor for her slogan, “It Could Happen To You.” She also brilliantly acts out some of the male characters seeking her matchmaking advice, and interacts with an on-screen video of herself (which interacts with the live characters). Wonderful, heartbreaking storytelling, combined with outstanding direction, and the fact that she’s so charming, make this one of the best solo shows I’ve ever seen at the Hollywood Fringe. The personal storytelling is so relatable, funny, and heartbreaking. Olivia strongly physicalized the stories throughout the play — great direction ! She kept up her charming persona throughout, even with late audience arrivals. Also, I liked her quick explanation of the difference between “predator” and “prey.”

— Eric B.

“The writing is whip-smart—packed with unexpected turns, unapologetic truths, and those delicious “oh snap” callbacks that reward an attentive audience. But what elevates Ooops beyond a clever, well-crafted, full-circle narrative is its physicality. Atwood doesn’t just tell the story—she embodies it. It’s clear she can take on much as a performer, and she does so with fearless precision and a remarkable sense of play. In a festival full of shows vying for your attention, Ooops earns it through honesty, originality, and a performer who truly understands how to hold a room—and herself—with both humor and humanity. It’s the kind of show that leaves you thinking, laughing, and—perhaps reluctantly—wondering what your own version of “oops” might be.”

— Mara W.

“The storytelling! I WILL be thinking about the bridge story for a long time!!! I loved this show! Olivia makes you feel like one of her besties as she is spilling the tea on both herself and people I’ve never met before…. but now I feel like I know them! Olivia is an incredible performer. Her character work and storytelling keep you engaged from start to finish.

— Aidan O.

“Olivia shoots herself in the foot with her best match as a matchmaker. It’s success feels like her failure and we are laughing all the way through. Olivia is a whirlwind of characters, jokes, and just overall charisma. Her energy is infectious, I left smiling ear to ear!”

— Aaron P.

“Olivia Atwood is brilliant, charming and downright hilarious in her one-woman show Oops, which jumps right into her exceptionally entertaining world as a matchmaker. Olivia is an incredible storyteller, and each story moment had me rolling with laughter from beginning to end. Also, I’ll never hear the name Anne Marie the same way again, which is wonderful. A super fun, uproarious hour of truthfully hilarious narration, and a must-see this Fringe! Olivia Atwood has a beautiful blend of engaging storytelling mixed with hysterical physical and situational comedy, which I adore! Such a fun show!”

— Ashley K.

“Liv was spectacular. My face hurts from smiling and the only thing that stopped the hurt was laughing out loud A LOT. Such energy! Great writing! And I loved the way she kept referring back to the earlier stories. Relatable, lots of laughs! Small theater so get your tickets! Funny, engaging. I feel like I could sit and hear her tell stories upon stories…”

—Anonymous

“What a quirky, fun, hilarious, whirlwind one woman show! This Olivia is a force of nature and truly knows how to entertain and keep an audience engaged! We could truly relate to some of her stories which made her even more honest and endearing!!! This show moves like lightning and Olivia is hilarious and captivating to watch. Her body language is amazing and so are her stories. The show structure was very strong too.”

—Hope K.

“Olivia Atwood takes full command of the stage and doesn’t let you breathe. Off the wall, witty, big, clever, she somehow covers multiple lanes of comedy and does so with ease and incredible results. I wasn’t laughing, I was CACKLING. “Oops” takes you on the chaotic journey of a professional matchmaker all expertly orchestrated by the superb Olivia Atwood. Her manic, energetic, hilarious performance takes unexpected twists and turns as she confronts the greatest fear for all of us. Finding love.”

—James F.

“Olivia clearly knows how to write a good story! Hilarious throughout but also heartfelt and thought provoking. Olivia is captivating. Oh and also, the characters were sooo funny!!! Just hilarious! Easily one of my favourite performers on the circuit!”

—Marcel C.

“Energy pours from the stage from the moment Olivia moves in, and that energy never quits. She skips effortlessly through matchmaking stories, personal embarrassments, and quirky characters with infectious charm. The multimedia touches and physical comedy make every moment feel vibrant and spontaneous, and I loved seeing her lampoon her own clientele in a way that seemed too ridiculous to be real.If there’s a wish, it’s that the stage was just a bit bigger; the intimacy is part of the charm, but it made me want even more space to dive into her world. That’s hardly a complaint, it’s proof I was hooked and craving more detail in those storytelling bits. It’s rare to find someone who can merge outrageous laughter with moments of real vulnerability so seamlessly. Olivia’s willingness to share everything from embarrassing mishaps to heartfelt moments gives the show a bravery that sticks. You laugh, you reflect, and you find yourself rooting for her long after the curtain call (and remembering to use the bathroom before the show too 😂).

— Ben B.

“The humor! It’s hard to explain how funny and talented Olivia is. The show will also surprise you with a gut punch or two, with her moments of vulnerability. Her character work is incredible. The characters (or people) in her incredibly hilarious story are so specific and she’s so descriptive, I felt like to knew the characters in the story by the end of the show. Olivia is so relatable, fun, and extremely talented. You need to see this show. This show should not be overlooked. It’s amazing! This is one of the most well told stories at the fringe this year! Olivia is a brilliant story teller! Tied with projections, character work, attention to detail, and wonderful recurring gags with satisfying payoffs. Olivia Atwood is so wonderful and is truly a star! I can’t wait to see what she does next!”

— Byron C.

“Perfectly executed storytelling. I was laughing nearly the whole time. Funny!! Let me love what I love!”

—Jason D.

“Do you know all those cliche reviews that talk about how the performer could read the phone book and it would be entertaining? For Olivia, the statement couldn’t be more true because reading the phonebook would take up the whole stage with boundless physical comedy and effortless storytelling like she does in Oops. Liv belongs on a stage or on a screen telling us stories. She has done it again and has officially solidified herself as an artist with a career you have to follow everywhere she goes. Olivia Atwood has a complete mastery of physical comedy and the high energy needed to keep an audiences interest from start to finish. Olivia’s talents in comedy is a rare and genuine gift to the art form. This is a show and a performer you can’t miss. The world needs more Olivia – Give the people what they want!

— Peyton A.

“Liv is charismatic and dynamic in her movements. Loved the mixed media approach to pull us into her world. Liv has a knack for comedic timing, character building, and getting me to be like “yes, we don’t like her!” when recounting high school drama. Relationships are hard. Being an awkward girl is harder. But becoming an accidental legend, well, that’s iconic.”

—Alexandra T.

“I appreciate how Liv not only presents us with a cast of weirdos, but is very upfront that she too is a bit of a weirdo. She exposes childhood journals with information that you couldn’t torture out of me, she provides a chronicle of embarrassing moments and stories, and she does it with an ever-present mischievousness that is equal parts endearing and laser-focused. It’s really hard to take someone who calls herself Nook McCook seriously. Romance is a battlefield and Olivia finds herself standing between the opposing trenches desperately attempting to mediate a truce. As a professional matchmaker, Liv has some stories to tell and they are full of big personalities which provoke even bigger laughs.”

— Drew P.

“The twists and turns, the vulnerability, the receipts! Excellent character work mixed in with spellbinding storytelling. Olivia’s back with her signature marathon style comedy and I’m here for it!!! This is a super fun hour showcasing some of Olivia’s most cringey moments but also her highest highs. She had the audience in the palm of her hand and I loved every minute!”

— Emily M.

“The character work!! Her playing against herself in the projections was GOLD. I’d love to see her do more of that (and think maybe she’s planning to?). Have a great run in Edinburgh dear, they aren’t even ready for you! OLIVIA!!! I had no idea what to expect, but as soon as she hit the staged I was GLUED! What a cool peek at her life. Olivia’s storytelling was clear, fun, and full of surprises. She’s a master of the “callback” and doesn’t skimp on the physicality. I was dancing and singing in my seat during the transitions and cackling at every plot point. She also handled late comers with ease and grace in the studio, not easy. BRAVO OLIVIA!!

—Sidney E.

“Everything. This is probably the top solo show we’ve seen this year. Olivia is a great performer! Hilarious. Most engaging show we’ve seen at Fringe. Funny and relatable!

—Anonymous

“This is definitely my “like of the day.” I have mascara streaks RUNNING down my face (ooh – running…too soon?) from laughing so hard and I would happily go back for more. The energy of this show was fantastic. Liv airs out some shit I would take to my grave with humor and her storytelling is top notch.”

— Megan R.

“Well thought out stage pictures and physicality. This is not a storyteller just sitting on a stool or a talking head with a mic, it’s a full experience. Olivia is one of the best comedic storytellers out there.

— Karen H.

“Olivia lights up the stage with her smile and the energy that emits as she moves around. And she never stops moving around! We’re expecting her to weave stories restricted to her matchmaking days but she starts out with a scared straight moment: “this could happen to you!” At the end of this story the entire audience is in stitches and waiting on every word and movement. Overtime the movement gets even more physical. Olivia can deliver lines with conviction while in the most contorted positions. She brilliantly places call backs throughout her piece that elevate her comedy and punchlines. I drove 3 hours in traffic to see this performance and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Oops is what happens when brilliant storytelling meets physical comedy meets someone with the chutzpah to tell the most embarrassing parts of their life journey. Olivia had us laughing for the entire hour. Some humor hits us hard over the head when she first belches it out and other parts are offered up gently, called back repeatedly, and finalized to evoke a bent over response.

— Alisha R.

“Liv never fails to make me laugh, as this show is no exception. (Insert bridge reference). Hilarious and heartfelt, Liv truly commands the stage like no other.

— Izzy S.

“Olivia is a uniquely funny and lively storyteller. This show is true stand up comedy and it’s fresh, breezy, and a whole lot of fun.”

— Olivia G.

“Olivia, despite how hilarious the show is, has put together one of the bravest one-person shows I’ve seen in terms of how much she’s shared. Her message at the end about how much of other people’s happiness has its roots in what she’s done, and she should be proud even if it’s at her own expense, deeply deeply resonated with me given my own life. I approached her after the show to tell her that. Also to tell her, 100% truthfully, that I’ve never been the only person to give someone a standing ovation. After yelling, “Yeah!” and standing up to applaud, I noticed everyone else was remaining seated. Still, I thought, “Screw it – she deserves this” and remained standing. This show is incredible. Truly.”

— Aditya P.

“Olivia is funny, charming and utterly likable as she opens up about her own misadventures, telling each story with hear, humor and charm. It’s a great show that will touch the romantic in anyone, as well as the inner child. A unique show about a subject you likely do not think much about, told in a way that you likely don’t expect. An absolutely fun way to spend an hour as Olivia regales the audience with hilarious anecdote after hilarious anecdote. I recommend!”

— Matt M.

“Olivia is HILARIOUS with high-energy, and great storytelling. Non-stop laughter.”

— Alex G.

Audience Reviews of FAKING IT

  • "I can't.... this was just so good- it's hard to put it into words. Atwood is an athlete on that stage but you would never know it, because every perfectly poised move within this show was done so unbeliebably effortlessly. With all the precision and charm she gives with her energy, it's almost selfless how much she gives to the you as the audience every night. The pacing: oh my god the pacing was incredible! Usually in shows you get luls in energy- it's normal, they happen. NOT THIS SHOW. Atwood switches from her different stories so slickly and with such precision that you forget how long you've been sitting down watching just one person talk for so long! This needs to be studied if you are to grab an audiences attention and never let it go. The script is so well written and performed it deserves so much recognition. This is the most 'good vibes' play I've seen at the Fringe so far- if you want to connect and be charmed and laugh your ass off in a way that makes you feel wonderful, this really is my first and only recomendation"

    Marc

  • "Superb. In theory, this is stand up/narrative, so you’d imagine it could be delivered by someone standing still, however Atwood’s level of athleticism adds a whole other dimension and makes it more like a piece of physical storytelling. She’s everywhere all at once. There are no props to speak of, so it’s all on her to give you the physical sense of events and places, which she achieves admirably. The call backs are set up nicely and sprinkled throughout, so it feels like a series of running jokes (also, she’s literally running quite a lot of the time!). Where many Edinburgh shows have a plot very personal to the performer and then struggle to broaden the meaning to deliver an emotional end-punch to the audience, Olivia was genuinely a witness to history (in a really deranged way), so she doesn’t need to twist the finale to make it relevant to the audience. She’s definitely one to watch. She has some great material here, but I suspect she could turn almost anything into vibrant, energetic, well delivered comedy. Rumour has it Mr. Nibbles is getting his own show."

    Richard

  • "Faking It is such a great show!! Olivia has endless charm, energy and craftsmanship. I kept looking at all of the laughing audience members around me. She hits on such an important time to all of us, the start of Covid, and explains a part of it we never knew— hospitals trying to get themselves ready. That’s the bittersweet part and we hold it in our minds but Olivia’s giving us her own self as a comic foil. The show ends up being about survival against all odds, in a hilarious package. Go see it."

    Joanna

  • "Saw a big poster for this and so looked it up. So glad I did. This show was excellent and had me smiling throughout. Olivia was a superb storyteller and the story is true. Top stars for this. Definitely go."

    David

  • "I've seen 50 shows so far this year. This one is the best I've seen to date.

    Jaitinder

  • "Absolutely brilliant totally entertaining and hilarious from the first opening minute An absolute must ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

    Jackie

  • "I absolutely loved this show. It’s very funny— well written with great physical humor. I laughed the whole way through!! Plus, it’s an amazing story... you want to know how it ends. The actress connects with the audience and, in the end, it’s a wonderful tribute to healthcare heroes and a great time!! SEE THIS SHOW!"

    Tom

  • "We watched last night. Fantastic funny story telling. Novel and engaging. Audience loved it."

    SmallTalking Musical Team

  • "A MUST-SEE! Truly original, hilarious, mind-bending and oddly comforting. This show was a total surprise. We walked in off the street on our first night in Edinburgh, not knowing what to expect. Olivia Raine Atwood is a treasure and one of the most unique performers I've ever seen. She is also a great physical comedienne. Go see this show! LOVED IT!! ***** 5 STARS"

    Lydia

  • "Brilliant and hilarious. An hour of complete verbal and physical entertainment. Olivia interacts seamlessly with the audience. Clever and funny writing and great performance. A must see."

    Charlotte

  • "Wow! This is a fascinating story, performed by a multi-talented artist, in a flawless example of what can be achieved in a one woman show. Olivia Atwood is charming, credible, and so darn captivating to watch! Her delivery encompasses a seamless blend of storytelling, character, comedy, and movement. The occasional visual aids were both hilarious and helpful. Even the subtle well-placed lighting effects - in every detail, this is such a well-polished show. Excellent comedic timing throughout. The call backs got richer and richer, and the payoffs got bigger and bigger. The audience was clearly along for the ride. And did I mention - it's a fascinating story!? I really want to go into specifics, but it's top-secret. It's a story worth hearing, and this is the best way to hear it. I'm so glad I got to see this show. Highly recommended!"

    Torrey

  • "This was my favourite show of the Fringe. It was highly energetic and hilarious right from the beginning throughout the show but my favourite part was how Olivia interacts with the audience. She is very good at maintaining eye contact with everyone in the room and delivering the jokes directly to you in a way that is guaranteed to make you laugh no matter how funny the joke itself was. It is a brilliant show for introverts because it feels highly interactive yet you don’t have to say or do anything other than just sit back and watch."

    Rad

  • "Olivia’s show is captivating and told in an athletic agile way (in all senses of the words). She easily takes her audience on a journey they will not forget, while mixing stand-up with physical storytelling. A must see!"

    Alex

  • "Hilarious! Olivia At-with-only-one-T-that's-important-wood tells a funny, captivating story about getting picked in late 2019 to test hospital readiness for a new virus no one had heard of (yet). Along the way, she shares anecdotes from her school years that had me howling. She's a great storyteller, and her use of physicality was brilliant (and hysterical). Highly recommend!"

    Nicole

  • "I was drawn in immediately to Olivia’s promise/premise of a medically-themed piece on an actor’s shenanigans in New York City from her poster and flyer alone, only to find out in conversation as I bumped into her flyering that I had worked in the same hospital at around the same time right as our world plunged into lockdowns. Olivia admittedly never acted her way into my particular department, granted I worked in the morgue. That would have been a challenge even for someone of her evident and immense talent. Olivia’s story is surprising and unique on its own, but her comedic delivery and full-body explosions of emotions bring this triumphant performance—which having been nearby to personally understand just how accurate her account is makes it even funnier—over the top. “Faking It” is a must-see experience!"

    Hannah

  • "I loved everything about the show. I laughed moment to moment as the storyteller sets up the scenario of how she came to be the person training New York doctors to handle Covid. Each detail includes backstory tales of her life and how wildly coincidental she came to be the unofficial “patient zero” of New York. I think I just watched the perfect show. In a hilarious one-person set, I learned the story behind the person who first trained New York hospitals to prepare for COVID 19: an actress/part time waitress who’s bad at math and has lived a life of accidentally taking jobs she’s underprepared for."

    Rosie

  • "Her storytelling skills were great. She was able to tell this one story while weaving in different parts of her background which made you understand her character even more. Really really fun show. Just simple storytelling at its best. Olivia has a wonderful self-deprecating style that draws you in. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect and I found myself very engaged, laughing loudly with a couple of “OH WOW!” moments."

    Joe Hernandez-Kolski

  • "I liked everything. It’s great to sometimes have a show where you don’t have to thing and can just non-stop laugh. Olivia is GREAT. This is the third time I’ve seen her perform and she is an amazing story teller. She totally bares her soul (and sometimes her sole) each time. Non-stop laughter."

    Harold

  • "Loved all the callbacks, loved her energy. Was very interesting hearing about the side of the medical field I had no idea about. Incredible engaging performance. I have not laughed that hard in a long time. Excellent storytelling, high energy, time went by super quick."

    Tyson

  • "Olivia Atwood (with one “T”, thankyouverymuch) is a bold, in-your-face comedian and fantastically engaging raconteur. Run, don’t walk, to the Madnani and make sure you catch Faking It! Olivia’s expressive physicality punctuates her charming, relatable wit, leading to a legitimately side-splitting experience. Go see this show. You’ll thank me later."

    Gregory