Nikolai Phalen‘s Fever Dream TV is a chaotic, one-hour-and-fifteen-minute live feed into his singular mind that spans stand-up, clowning, and theater. Taking place at The Barcelona Studio, the show started thirty minutes late and ran a bit longer than the customary hour. But as soon as it began, it was clear: Nikolai is a diva worth waiting for.
The show starts with him lamenting the loss of his unique talent, an impeccable Jennifer Coolidge impression, due to the rise of impressionists in the wake of Ms. Coolidge’s resurgent White Lotus fame. Nikolai muses on what, if anything, sets him apart now. Similarly, during conversations with an omniscient “creator” character, asks what purpose does this show serve?
Over the course of two acts of material, including an intermission and multiple costume changes, Nikolai tirelessly tackles these questions with a dark, absurdist humor unlike any other while exploring disparate material drawn from his identity as a Gay man born in Siberia and adopted by American parents. Some of my favorite bits include a memorial for the world’s oldest dog, a reenactment of a child beauty pageant he competed in, and an outrageous story of why his parents chose him among the other orphans, which is worth the price of admission on its own.
I wasn’t sure whether to laugh, throw up, or call the police, and wondered which, if any, of these stories were true. But Nikolai’s magnetic presence doesn’t leave room for doubt. What sets Nikolai apart? The unnamable, unmistakable energy that only a true diva can possess. And what is the point of Fever Dream TV? I don’t know, but just like a favorite binge-watch, once it’s on, it’s impossible to turn off.
