As a long time reviewer, every once in a while I come across a spectacular performer who has the range and versatility of a Lily Tomlin or Whoopi Goldberg. Someone who can snap from character to character with contrasting voices, physicality, age and emotions. In her show, Naked in Alaska, which chronicles her personal journey as a stripper, pole dancer and person, with passion and full commitment, Valerie Hager gives a powerful, entrancing performance as she displays a range of physicality and emotion during the ups, downs and sideway tangents in her life, including drugs, that will knock your socks off. She radiates a personal beauty of body and persona, and a mime flavor, that is rare. Her pole dance has gymnastic strength and flexibility, and yet sends out a sensuality that can ensnare.
Naked in Alaska is well directed and timed by Scott Wesley Slavin. With the diversity of character that Valerie can play, she should be on “Saturday Night Live.”
