The End of Summer

The summer is almost over. If you're a normal person who runs their internal calendar on the socially reinforced vibes that govern human civilization and not one of those weirdos who think the actual date of the end of summer means anything at all. If I had to accept the notion that Sept 22nd was anything but a technicality, and that for the first 18 years of my life, the Fort Zumwalt public school district had robbed me of three weeks of rightful summer - that would be my supervillain origin story. You would see me on the news in tights and a cape and with a death ray demanding that you bring me 1 million dollars and the head of Principal Byrnes.

Actually, funny story. A few years back, I was working on a story about my school years and decided that I would look up Principal Byrnes, who had been something of an arch nemesis of mine, starting all the way back in Elementary school and, due to the vagaries of job promotion, had been the head principal of my high school by the time I graduated. He was the kind of lazy authoritarian who wanted things to be easily and quickly solved. Those kind of administrators love the rich, symmetrical kids who sail through their SATs with affable self assuredness and a letterman jacket. Because those kids make their job easy and quick. It's the kids those kids bully that make your workday actual work. There are a stories behind this and maybe I will follow up in the coming weeks to illustrate the vendetta I had with this grown man, but, that's not what this post is about. This is a digression and I should get digressing.

Researching this story I google my old arch enemy, Prinicipal Byrnes, and what came up was a headline that read "School Superintendent Faces Charges." Long and short of it was this: Byrnes had become superintendent of a neighboring school district and immediately upon assuming the office, he began to stalk and harass the young secretary that the district had provided him, eventually saying that he would out right pay her for sex with district funds. Being not nearly the fool Byrnes was, she went to the police who said, "Awesome, here's what you do..." She was to tell Byrnes that she was into it and then, he should come to an appointed place and time, but demand the money up front. When he was arrested, the money was already in an evidence locker and he was said to have had a "trunk full of sex toys and lubricants." He was sentenced to two years probation, fined, and had to turn over all of his teacher certificates and accreditations.

I was sitting in a coffee shop when I read this, my wife was sitting across from me, and I suddenly stood up. I sped through an explanation and before Cyndi could even fully take in what I had just told her, I had my phone in my hand calling my mother. When my mom answered, I was like, "Did you know about this!?"

She said, "Yes."

"And you never told me?"

"I didn't know you'd be interested."

I almost said, "If Superman turns out to be a stalker and a sex pest, as well as an embezzler, and gets busted for it, the first person you call is Lex Luthor, especially if you are Lex Luthor's mom." But I didn't think she would follow that.

Anyway, again, digression. What is the point of this post? Right, end of what ended up being a big summer for The Big Secret. Two festival runs at The Green Bay Fringe and The Minnesota Fringes and airing the show on the RISK! Podcast. I am still shopping around the proposal for the book length version as I also dive back into doing a third pass on the written manuscript, adding in things that I found while performing the show version out on the road. Performing something live, watching people react, talking to audiences after a performance, means you are always finding ways to add in telling details or small moments that help bring the book and the people at the heart of it more to life, which has never been more important to me than it is for this story.

So, while I am doing that, here’s the show on RISK! - https://www.risk-show.com/podcast/the-big-secret/

So, below, is a collection of all the nice things people had to say about my show. I don't expect you to read these, but I did want to have them all in one place where I could send people and so, they shall live here.

And so, here is what some critics have had to say about the show - 

In his witty, hyper-focused and candid way, Lawrence keeps you laughing, smiling, engaged and always contemplative. There are moments where he pauses to look right at the audience to embrace quiet moments riddled in thought and mystery where as an audience you can collectively gasp, aww and ooh at the intimacy in his approach. 

               - Bianca Lopez, Theater Beyond Broadway theaterbeyondbroadway.com

Lawrence brings a rich, vivid life to the people, places, and conversations that he recounts, masterfully controlling the peaks and valleys of energy and emotion in the show. The Big Secret asks audiences to help remember its central subject, and given its own memorability, that should not be a problem.  

                                    -John R. Ziegler and Leah Richards - thinkingtheaternyc.com

Winner of a Golden Lanyard Award at the 2025 Minnesota Fringe Festival

Brad Lawrence’s storytelling is mesmerizing; this is the 4th Fringe I’ve seen him in and he never disappoints; this time, it’s excavating the world around a secret shared by 17 yr old Jessica with 14 yr old Brad, just 2 years before her death - 5 stars.

- Matthew Owen, Single White Fringe Geek - https://swfringegeek.blogspot.com

Selected as a Cherry and Spoon favorite of the 2025 Minnesota Fringe

This is a beautiful and moving story, masterfully told by NYC-based master storyteller Brad Lawrence. He weaves a mesmerizing tale about his traumatic childhood (including both familial and religious trauma), and finding connection with an older girl named Jessica in his church youth group. One night, over frozen custard, she tells him her shameful secret, that she's never shared with anyone. She makes him promise not to tell, and he doesn't, putting it in a box in the back of his mind that he never opens, even after her tragic murder five years later. But he has recently opened that box and looked at the secret with adult eyes, only to find that it wasn't shameful at all. Jessica was a child, taken advantage of by an adult, undeserved shame forced upon her by her religious upbringing. I won't share the secret in case you ever get the chance to see this show, because it's expertly revealed at the right time for the maximum impact. The important thing to know is that Brad is finally sharing Jessica's story in the hopes that those who hear it can let go of some of the shame in their own lives, and/or help create a world without shame for people who did nothing wrong. 

- Jill Schafer, Cherry and Spoon - http://www.cherryandspoon.com/2025/08/minnesota-fringe-festival-2025-big.html

Audience reviews for the live show.    

Simple amazing storytelling

Settle in for an hour of simple and mesmerizing storytelling. Just when you think there can't be more twists, there are, and it's all a true story. Don't miss the visit from an out of towner!

-Allison Broeren

More people need to see this show!

We all have those people who intersect with our lives only briefly yet remain formative in who we are today. A beautiful and important tribute to an old friend.

• Amanda Steepleton

Deeply meaningful!

As someone who was raised in a conservative evangelical environment and carries a lot of religious trauma, this show hit home in a big way. This show is incredibly well-written; there were a number of times that I laughed or groaned or sighed at a particular phrase only to realize how well-stated it was and how perfectly it captured what Brad was trying to convey. There are a few times that he got moving a little quickly and it took a moment to understand what he was saying, but it did not dull the impact of the story he was telling, as evidenced by the multiple times I had to wipe away tears as we approached the end. Highly recommend!

• Andrew Roblyer

See this show!

A story that needs to be told, a secret that must be shared, an hour that deserves your time.

• Andrew Troth

Profound and moving

Brad's performance was A+. He explores a very serious and important topic and though there were plenty of lines in his story that had the audience laughing out loud, he landed the story, and his reason for telling it, so powerfully. I saw the first performance of this Fringe, and I hope he gets a full house for each of the next performances, because he deserves it.

• Brooke Madrid Hart    

An important and beautiful story

Religious experiences hit everyone differently. Brad is an effective, transparent, and humorous storyteller who takes us through his journey as a 14-year-old navigating a youth group. We learn more about his friend as Brad unpacks each story on stage. I feel like everyone will be able to get something from this show, and never stop telling your stories.

• Christy Johnson

Love masterful storytelling? See Brad!

Brad had a relatively small audience on Saturday afternoon, but we noticed several of Fringe's best storytellers in attendance. We couldn't help think that they were there to learn from a master. He held us in his grip for the entire hour. My only gripes? 1) The secret was maybe not as earthshattering as we expected, though as I sit here and write this review, I realize the the secret was not the point. Rather the impact of the secret was the point; 2) Brad didn't add "Cast and Crew" and /or "More Information" fields to his Fringe page. Maybe not a big deal to many, but it almost made us skip this one (since we use that info to guide our schedule)!

• Corrie Fiedler    

A must see for this final weekend

I first saw this show when Brad performed it in New York City, and the opportunity to see it again was part of what brought me to Minneapolis in the first place. If you still have an open slot on your schedule, this is the one to see

• David Rhoads

Hanging on every word!

I've only take a couple of storytelling classes, so I'm no expert, but IMO this man is a total master at it. I forgot to think about what time it was or where I was or what I have to do tomorrow or if I even have to cough. I was just sucked in.

• Evelyn Fox    

Powerful story powerfully performed

Brad brought immense skill, heart, and affability to his performance; he is clearly an accomplished, talented, and nuanced writer-storyteller. But what really blew me away was the tremendous humility, vulnerability, honesty, and respect with which he told this story. To be frank, I do not usually hear the stories/secrets of teenaged girls treated with such empathy, understanding, and honor as Brad so beautifully gave to his friend’s story—and his own. I was moved to tears at the history he shared and also the message he pulled out of it. More people should see this.

• Jennifer Vosters

personal narrative, spiritual bridge

Devastatingly cathartic storytelling, subverting all settled expectations for the sparse "one-man" acts that often pepper these events. Raw and direct in ways I was beyond emotionally unprepared for, but so glad to have attended. Perhaps not the most "awesome" Fringe show I'll see this year, but without the faintest shadow of a doubt it'll be the most piercing, the most empathetic. It's rare to feel such transparent connection in a room full of people. Highly recommended to anyone seeking more seriousness this go-around.

• Old Milky

YES! Tell This Story!

I was drawn to see this show because Brad is the producer of the RISK Podcast, where I joined national and international storytellers virtually during the pandemic. YES, TELL THIS STORY! Brad is an exceptional storyteller. The struggle to keep a confidence made at a young age or decide to break a promise after the death of a friend was very real. Given the ending, Brad made and must continue to make the right choice. The RISK to tell the truth, after his friend, Jennifer, was murdered is not only appropriate, but vital. While I also advocate telling personal stories, I completely agree that the stories of others must also be told so their situation is not repeated by others who are vulnerable to exploitation by others. This is a very timely story. Keep on telling it. I believe the shame imposed by Jennifer and Brad's church, when they were younger, led to Jennifer's overcompensation to atone for her so-called "sins", young marriage to the Youth Pastor, and her horrific death. Brad carefully and brilliantly lead us down those paths. Thank you.

• Marie Cooney    

Deserves to be seen!

Brad is a wonderful storyteller, and this show runs the gamut of emotions from funny to devastating . I can’t recommend this show enough.

• Michael DallaValle    

Heartwarming

This show was well organized, witty, and beautifully performed. There was clear purpose and message along with laughs.

• Milli Manchester    

Captures the pain and depth of BIG TERRIBLE SECRET

Brad did a great job--with authenticity, depth and brilliant storytelling. I was moved to tears that welled up and stayed in my eyes after the show ended. I had heard about this show from friends who saw Brad in another city's Fringe. He captured the multiple layers of meaning from a devastating and complex experience. I would agree with another reviewer that there were times that parts could have gone slightly slower to let things sink in more. However, outstanding writing and performing. Heartbreaking how often young people experience what Brad describes.

• Rachel Lipton    

Impactful and Important

This excellent story is well told and quite meaningful. It is impactful because it touches the situation of so many lives (in the story and in the audience and beyond) and it is important to be told because of that broad impact. As a person of the progressive inclusive Christian faith I am grateful for the presentation. Not to be missed.

• Stephen Robertson

For friends whose stories we owe them to tell

I just learned via the bios that Brad is a story producer for the podcast "RISK!". This show is as "RISK!" as they come, especially in a traverse stage where Brad is surrounded and speaking upward to the split audience sides, forfeiting one outcast Christian teen affliction after the other as the base for the grisly, solemn, and real stories of tragedies from those later teen years of his life to proceed. What Brad says is right: the life stories of others, friend or otherwise, are not ours to make useful for our personal actualization. Yet we owe it to our friends to tell the stories about them that are true and untwisted by the self-serving doctrine and malice of others. Brad carries us to these themes with gripping and brisk earnestness. Send Brad some love this week, he's a touring artist whose raconteur skills are worth witnessing every second of. 

• Tri Vo    

Quite simply extraordinary

As a performer in the festival, I've always had mixed feelings about artists leaving reviews for other artists, particularly because the fact is these reviews do impact tickets to one degree or another. And that can potentially be fraught. But this performance & piece were quite simply on another level. Great writing & performance, tremendous story. Heed the content warnings, but rest assured, a very relevant & human story. A genuine pleasure, Brad. I'll say it again, the universe has tasked you with bearing witness for your friend. You've taken on the task of returning the dignity that was taken from her. Good on you. Carry on. And may the road rise as you do.

• Wells Farnham

Some secrets need to be shared.

I am a fan of solo shows. In some, the performer is playing a character to tell a story. In others, the performer is sharing personal experiences. While I enjoy both, I hold some extra respect for the performers who are vulnerable enough to share such personal stories. Brad is obviously an accomplished performer and storyteller. The story he shares is one that needs to be told. In doing do, I think he is honoring his friend. Go see it.

• Winnie Wenglewick

Audience comments from the RISK! Episode - 

“Thank you so for sharing. RIP Jessica” — Elisabeth
“Thank you for this episode.” — Amanda
“Utterly gut wrenching. Thank you for sharing.” — Lena
“Such an important story. Thank you.” — Anonymous
“So well done, thank you.” — A. Vanderboegh
“Gorgeous and heartbreaking story told by a pro. Thank you.” — Rivkah
“Broke every inch of my heart. That was way too close to home. Thanks Risk team.” — B
“A tragic story compassionately and eloquently told. Thank you Brad & Risk.” — Machlud

“This was an amazing, moving story that brought me to tears. Thank you for telling it and telling it so well” - J. Beto

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