"You Know This Girl"

Writer and performer, C. Frances Fallon performed her one woman comedy “You Know This Girl” at the Division Avenue Arts Collective (DAAC—115 S. Division) last night to a small but receptive audience.

“You Know This Girl” is a hilarious and biting social satire that undeniably lives up to its title. Fallon portrays Courtney, a college student more concerned with “Thirsty Thursdays” and beer pong tournaments than academics. Fallon’s character is more than just a college student. More specifically, she is a misguided, young woman obsessed with consumerism, celebrity lifestyles, and physical perfection to an extent that has seriously disturbed her moral compass.

The audience is quick to laugh at Courtney as she leads them through a sabotaged Spanish 101 presentation, unbecoming reality television audition tapes, and her tedious, yet revealing pre-clubbing rituals, yet there’s something uncomfortably familiar about Courtney.

You do know this girl. You probably went to high school or college with her. You’ve probably stood behind her in line at Bath & Body Works, and if you live in Grand Rapids, you’ve probably bumped into her at Taps or many of the other bars that line Ionia Street.

“You Know This Girl” is much more than a clever attack on a specific demographic of individuals. The performance serves as an icebreaker for a conversation our society desperately needs to have concerning the media, consumerism and the unrealistic expectations that both place upon women.

Following the show at the DAAC, Fallon conversed casually about her motivations for writing “You Know This Girl” with audience members. During this discussion, Fallon mentioned the negative impact the media has on young women and, as a result, the distorted perceptions many young women have of themselves. Says Fallon, “It shouldn’t be normal to want to be on Girls Gone Wild” and continued this point stating, “I’m concerned about the problem of women confusing sexual liberation with self-exploitation.”

A native of Buffalo, NY, Fallon premiered “You Know This Girl” at the venue Sugar City, as part of the Buffalo Infringement Festival this past July. The play is Fallon’s first completed work and she affectionately calls the project her “coming out party.” Fallon spent almost a full year researching her character and taking notes before putting the play on paper, the result of which is a character that is incredibly believable and painfully familiar.

In order to fit the part, Fallon often travels in character, donning hair extensions, revealing outfits, and a fake tan. Based on appearances, it would be difficult to discern where Fallon begins and her character ends if it weren’t for the writer’s sharp wit and obvious intelligence. In conversation, Fallon recalls being at an airport in character and feeling conflicted in the presence of a little girl who was eyeballing her, most likely unaware that Fallon was in costume. “The thing about living like this is that I don’t like seeing it. I don’t like little girls seeing it.”

“You Know This Girl” will be performed again tonight at the studio Mexicains Sans Frontieres (120 S.Division Avenue, Apartment #226) across from the DAAC. The show begins at 10pm and entry is $5. Unique show merchandise will also be available. After Grand Rapids, Fallon is headed to Chicago to perform at Ball Hall. For more information concerning "You Know This Girl" go to C. Frances Fallon's website.

Be warned. “You Know This Girl” is intended for mature, adult audiences. If you’re offended easily, you might want to reconsider. However, Fallon politely takes questions and comments concerning her work. “I’m prepared to be misunderstood,” she says.