Turn-Ons: Even though "Another Door Opens" was about Lori Sommer's courageous victory over middle school bullying, it also reminded me that vulnerability creates deeper connections.
Turn-Offs: Only that Kleenex wasn't provided for the inevitable tears.
Rate My Date:
- Not My Type
- 1 Night Stand
- Crush
- In Love
Happily Ever After
As I sat in the tiny black box theater at The Producer's Club watching my old friend, Lori Sommer, perform her one-woman show for an intimate crowd, I realized this: You can sometimes know someone for years without ever fully knowing their "story"; the volume of life experiences that shape their character, personality, fears and dreams. Sometimes the success you see has been molded by adversity and their own resilience after deep hurt or trauma.
"Another Door Opens" is Lori's personal story about being bullied in middle school and how it directed the entire trajectory of her life. Choosing not to go to the mall one day with the Queen Bee of her clique, her entire posse of friends turned against her Mean Girls-style, and the rest of her school years were spent in fear and isolation. With one simple decision, she went from being in the in-crowd to being hated and taunted mercilessly. Lori narrates her experiences with comedic irreverence, heartfelt sensitivity and a bit of nostalgia for all things 80s, including her mullet. In one moment she demonstrates her trophy-winning karate skills, which served to defend her in a few fights. And in the next moment she busts out into a hip-hop routine which is a skill that, to her surprise, landed her a gig on MTV and ultimately on world tours with top recording artists.
What Lori realized in hindsight was that the trauma she endured during those formative years of her life became the catalyst for self-discovery and stepping into her true potential. Bullying didn't limit or define her. Nor did it end in defeat. Another door always opened. Lori, now a successful comic, intends to bring her show and this message to young people throughout schools and anti-bullying organizations everywhere. I LOVE that! And I can't help but love my old friend a little more because of her courageous vulnerability.
"I think I fall in love a little bit with anyone who shows me their soul. This world is so guarded and fearful. I appreciate rawness so much." - unknown
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