Orlando Fringe review: Rory Ledbetter stars in 'A Mind Full of Dopamine'

Orlando Fringe review: 'A Mind Full of Dopamine'

THE ARTISTIC TYPE: A BLOG OF THEATER, ARTS AND CULTURE

Rory Ledbetter stars in "A Mind Full of Dopamine." (Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando…)

Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel

Rory Ledbetter has a problem — a gambling problem. In his one-man show, he explains how dopamine works — it's the chemical in our brains that makes us feel good, that drives reward-driven learning. "Do this and you'll feel better," the sneaky chemical teaches us. But in Ledbetter's case, things didn't turn out for the better. The meat of his story is his descent into gambling addiction. He's the kind of storyteller who can pull from the past such winning details as a memory of eating French toast sticks at Shoney's while on a road trip with his grandparents. And he can easily conjour up childhood by name-dropping Fruit Stripe gum in a funny story from his youth.

But his show doesn't clearly tie these early incidents to his later gambling. And when poker takes over his life, it takes over the show. The intricacies of a Texas Hold 'Em hand can leave the uninitiated desperately trying to remember who has what cards throughout his anecdotes — rather than focusing on Ledbetter's inner struggle.

By the time he maxes out his credit cards, I was ready to hear less about his losing hands and more about his emotional state. Ledbetter seems an articulate, interesting fellow. I'd like to know more about his feelings — and less about his card games.

50 mins. Rated G-14. Brown venue.
Showtimes:
5-17, 10 p.m.
5-19, 8:45 p.m.
5-20, 10:45 p.m.
5-22, 5:15 p.m.
5-24, 10 p.m.
5-25, 4:45 p.m.
5-26, 7:30 p.m.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-05-17/entertainment/os-orlando-fringe-mind-full-of-dopamine-20130517_1_orlando-fringe-review-gambling-problem-credit-cards