Fringe Review

“How to Smoke Three Cigarettes at Once” is a whimsical dive into how we cope with stress. The show begins with a journey into the history of cigarette marketing, from children’s obsession with Joe Camel to the power of Camel Cash, told with the help of some very unexpected guests. The lighthearted, but sincere hosts Kayleigh and Morgan go on to explore the use of coping mechanisms and how we can mitigate the pervasive stress we are currently facing as a society.

Some of the most powerful moments of the show are told through darkened lighting and an isolated focus on one character, or even at one point one character’s voice, and in those moments the entire theater is transported by imagination to a new location entirely. For those who are into a more comedic approach there are moments that are told through unexpected plot devices that are oh-so-indicative of the freedom of creativity granted by the fringe festival.

Kayleigh and Morgan, our hosts, and their team, visibly put a great deal of work into understanding the psychology of coping with stress, and the history of cigarettes and how those two intertwine. Their passion for the wellbeing of their audience is palpable and their dedication to this work is evident. Their final discussion of coping tools that our culture lacks, and how to find them and how to center our lives around them more fully, is an important message for viewers to take away.

Overall, if you are looking for a deeper understanding of the history of cigarettes and stress, and how the two relate to each, “How to Smoke Three Cigarettes at Once” is the show for you. You will laugh, you might cry, and you will without a doubt be surprised by the plot devices the hosts use to tell their story. A big thank you to Kayleigh and Morgan for coming to share their message with the KC Fringe community!