Tomatoes
tried to Kill me
But Banjos Saved My Life

An Award Winning, Inspirational True Story
Keith Alessi playing a banjo

Accolades

Awards

Sold Out Run
Off Broadway
Winner
Most Inspirational
New York City
Winner
Festival Spirit
New York City

Reviews & Press

British Theatre Review - Edinburgh Fringe
British Theatre Review - Edinburgh Fringe
August 16, 2023

Paul T Davies reviews Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life at Space @ Surgeon’s Hall as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.

Three Weeks Edinburgh Review
Three Weeks Edinburgh Review
August 8, 2023

I missed this show in 2022 and was keen to catch it early this year. Now an established international success, it’s a fine piece of American storytelling....

The Munro Review - Rogue Festival 2022
The Munro Review - Rogue Festival 2022
March 11, 2022

A banjo, the lean and kindly man tells us, draws a line to the past – back to circles of players whiling away pre-electric evenings in the Blue Ridge Mountains, back to the vestigial sound of bagpipes urging Scotsmen across a battlefield, back even to primeval times, with people sitting around campfires and vocalizing with grunts and hums.

Audience Feedback

GO SEE THIS!!! Beautiful story told masterfully in a way that has you hooked. Honesty. Clarify. Reality. And a touch of banjo music. Keith tells his personal true story and causes lightbulb moments to go off for everyone in the audience. Amazing. Great show.”

It's one of those outstanding shows you feel privileged to have experienced. We booked because of the link with banjos - and were curious - we got so much more. A show that will remain with us for ever as one of the great life affirming stories.

It's easy to see why past reviews have been so favorable. Great life story, and so well told. Kudos to Keith!