Ball: A Musical Tribute to My Lost TestictleProgram Cover
Written and Performed by Max Wojtanowicz
Co-Conceived by Max Wojtanowicz and Nicole Swoboda
Review by Ernest Edwards
I was at the first performance of Ball: A Musical Tribute to My Lost Testicle, which is being presented at Artistry’s Black Box Theater for a a limited time with dates through September 20, 2026. Artistry’s Black Box Theater is the perfect venue for this one man show.
It’s been ten years since actor Max Wojtanowicz received his cancer diagnosis and went through nine weeks of chemotherapy. The events are as follows: cancer diagnosis in January, chemo begins in February, presented idea to Fringe Festival in April of that year, and then presents/performs the show in August at the annual Minnesota Fringe Festival. Max said the show was so well received that it toured for over two years.
I’ve know Max as an actor, but never knew this very personal story of his. I haven’t done Fringe in years, as I have usually had a business trip that same week.
There was a one moment that included audience participation. Max invites a person from the audience to represent his boyfriend. Yours truly was that person the night I went to the see the show. It was fun to be on stage and watch Max work his magic act up close and personal.
We did learn that when his diagnosis and treatment started, he was in a relationship with his boyfriend for six months at the time. His boyfriend didn’t run away. He stayed by his side during all of this, and even went with him to some of his chemo treatments. Today Max has been married to this very same man for 8 years.
We also learned that testicular cancer is treatable and has a higher survival rate than other forms of cancer. Seeing this show also reminded me of the friends and family who have had their own battles with cancer.
I want to say “Thank You” to Max for sharing such a personal story with us, and for revisiting this part of his life on the tenth anniversary of his diagnosis and treatment.
Don’t let the subject matter get you down. While cancer is a serious topic, Max tells this story with humor and heart. It’s a very nice mix for telling this story.
While the 2026/2027 theatre season is off to a strong start with several shows opening this weekend around the region. Ball only plays for two weekends. This is the must see show. Put Ball on the top of your list.
Ball has a run time of 60 minutes and continues through Sunday September 20, 2026, check out www.artistrymn.org for tickets.
