UNSAVORY IS SAVORY INDEED
Those of us who grew up on the Westside of Los Angeles certainly remember hanging out on the Venice and Santa Monica beaches when we were kids. Times then were as innocent as we were, and our parents had no fear that predators were lurking about trying to do us harm. But that romanticized view of our beaches, especially the wondrous adventures to be had at Pacific Ocean Park in Venice and the Santa Monica Pier as the ultimate playgrounds in paradise no doubt convinced many people that the beach cities of California were the place to really enjoy living. So they moved their families here, thinking life would be easier and certainly sunnier all year round.
Such was the case for Nick James, growing up in Cleveland where he felt so out of place given his dream of greatness and love of Hollywood movies. So, when his new stepfather told Nick the family was moving to a paradise called Santa Monica, a photo of the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier at the end of Route 66 became the stuff dreams are made of where perhaps he could truly find his place in the world.
For a fabulous 75 minutes during his solo show Unsavory Fellow — now onstage at the Ruskin Group Theatre — Nick brilliantly recounts the story of a Midwest longing-for-attention kid through his Hollywood-sized dreams, while offering glimpses into the heart and soul of a man driven by an insatiable hunger for success. Led astray by trying to impress the unsavory characters hanging out in his new school and on the Pier, Nick’s descent into alcoholism and drug addiction nearly ended his life as he found himself treading the dangerous waters of his own bad behavior while trying to make it into the entertainment industry. But thankfully, the play turns out to be a celebration of the human spirit to succeed, perseverance through defeat, the importance of family, and the beauty of chasing our own dreams.
But taking the easy way into the world of entertainment proved to be a downward spiral for the young man open to all experiences in the sun-soaked, palm tree-lined streets of Santa Monica and Hollywood. Not willing to take acting classes to hone his skill, Nick wound up aspiring to be a lot of things, including a supermodel in Japan, a gigolo, an actor in “B” movies, or getting his face in the media by appearing on game shows. Sharing those experiences via video brought his world into clear focus, especially the damage being done due to his addictions.
As his life stories proceed, Nick’s entertaining tales of his delusional yet hilarious quest to be a star was both sad and incredibly funny at times, given his willingness to try anything to become a star. But perhaps it was the independent film he created (and shared) about being “taken advantage of” by a deer (yes, a deer) that finally turned his life around after his former-school buddy “Moustache” convinced him to stop drinking and get his life together for his wife and son. He has certainly done that, living his dream of entertaining audiences and getting laughs for the stories he shares, thus creating a vibrant autobiographical solo show filled with locales quite familiar to Santa Monica audiences.
James was a trailblazer in the once untapped universe of YouTube during the early aughts. He became the third most subscribed comedian on the platform garnering millions of views while performing regularly at The Comedy Store. His early films have won awards and screened at Film Festivals around the world. His limitless curiosity and fearless approach towards his craft molded him into a raconteur of the purist variety, one with nothing to lose. Nick has been a valet parker, boxcar hobo, bartender, and professional break dancer.
With this captivating production sharing Nick’s tales as only a true writer can, by living them onstage, Unsavory Fellow recently sold out its run at the Santa Monica Playhouse, and continues through May 25 at Ruskin.
photos by Alex Neher
Unsavory Fellow
produced by John Ruskin and Michael R. Myers
in association with Beck Bennion and Jess Faulstich
Ruskin Group Theatre
3000 Airport Avenue in Santa Monica; free onsite parking
Fri at 8; Sat at 4 & 8
ends on May 25, 2024
for tickets, call 310.397.3244 or visit Ruskin