It’s not often that we get the chance to see a show where we can truly see the evolution of the play over time. Lipstick is one of those occasions. Having first seen the piece in workshop form at El Barrio’s Artspace, and now again as part of the 2026 NYC Fringe at The Chain Theatre, it’s remarkable to see how much the production has sharpened, tightened, and fully come into itself over the past few months.Performed by Edu Díaz, directed by Lil Malinich, and written by Linda Morales Caballero, Lipstick feels like a major artistic leap for everyone involved. Díaz is already known for his magnetic clowning work in A Drag Is Born, a largely wordless performance built on physical comedy and audience interaction. Here, he commands a deeply verbal, emotionally driven piece in English with remarkable confidence and control.
The show follows a fragmented and deeply personal exploration of repression, mental health, identity, and social conformity. Díaz moves seamlessly between multiple characters, including a controlling mother, a psychiatrist, and the central figure at the heart of the story. The transitions are elegant and precise, never showy. Everything feels carefully structured, which is fitting given the recurring idea within the play that “everything is okay, you just need structure.” The production itself embodies that philosophy.
What makes Díaz such a compelling performer is his ability to hold complete control of a room while making everything feel spontaneous and alive. Early in the performance, several late audience members entered the small theatre space, disrupting the intimacy of the scene. Instead of breaking the atmosphere, Díaz transformed the interruption into part of the experience. He guided people to seats, folded their awkwardness into the rhythm of the show, and somehow made the entire thing feel intentional. It was a masterclass in clowning and crowd work.
Throughout the evening, every unexpected noise from outside the theatre, every distraction, every imperfection became fuel for the performance. Díaz has the rare ability to treat accidents as gifts. More impressively, he never loses the emotional thread while doing it. He can pivot into comedy, acknowledge the audience, then return instantly to vulnerability and dramatic focus without ever dropping the tension of the piece.
That balance is what makes Lipstick so effective. The show never feels heavy handed despite tackling difficult themes. There’s anger and critique underneath it all, particularly around systems that attempt to “normalize” people through control and repression, but the production never pushes too hard. It remains soft, intelligent, and emotionally resonant.
The live music, under the musical direction of Ángelho Diáz, adds another beautiful layer to the production. The piano accompaniment flows naturally through the piece, and Edu Díaz’s own singing only strengthens the emotional impact. Some of the musical moments appear to have been expanded since the workshop version, and the additions are smartly placed, giving the story more texture without overwhelming it.
Perhaps most affecting is Díaz’s restraint as a performer. He never forces emotion. Even in the show’s most heartbreaking moments, he resists the temptation to collapse into tears or melodrama. Instead, he trusts the audience to feel alongside him, and that trust pays off. By the end, the emotional release lands fully.
There’s also something refreshingly humble about the entire team behind Lipstick. Despite the enormous amount of skill on display, from the acting and direction to the music and improvisational brilliance, nothing about the production feels self-important. Díaz has cultivated a genuine connection with his audience, and that closeness gives the show an intimacy that stays with you long after it ends.
Seeing Lipstick develop from workshop to fully realized Fringe production has been a privilege. It now feels ready for a much larger future. This is a smart, emotionally rich, beautifully controlled piece of theatre that showcases Edu Díaz as not just an exceptional clown, but a truly exciting multidisciplinary performer.
We are giving this 4/5 Ds (D D D D)
For more information see https://edudiaz.com/lipstick
Cast & Creative
Performed by: Edu Díaz
Directed by: Lil Malinich
Based on a story by: Linda Morales Caballero
Adaptation by: Linda Morales Caballero & Edu Díaz
Live music by: Ángelho Diáz