Storytelling series Mortified definitely qualifies as “cringe comedy”: What else do you call it when folks climb up onstage, crack open their childhood diaries, and share some of their most mortifying moments from yesteryear to a roomful of strangers? Sounds excruciating, right? And yet! The mortifying moments so often become our most defining ones, inching us closer to understanding and embracing our true selves. You’ll laugh plenty at Mortified, for sure, but you’ll be inspired, too, by how brave the speakers are for sticking their necks out, and how dang supportive and cool the audience is. The theme this time may be doomed love, but you’re also gonna feel a lot of love in the room. – Kimberley Jones
