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2018 Audience Reviews

Member Reviews

The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member:

Company: The Coldharts
Show: Eddie Poe
Venue: Ritz Theater Mainstage

JOLLY GOLLY

I don't think I could love what the Coldharts make more. I've seen all of their previous work and had even caught the workshop version of Eddie Poe at Horror Fest. This next iteration was cleaned up and tightened to perfection. They NEED to take their time to establish the sweeping poetry of the language - Nick's deadpan delivery of what I can only imagine are paragraphs on paragraphs on the page is riveting. I have the biggest talent girl-crush on Katie it's not even funny, and her performance is nothing short of inspiring. The Ritz is a picture perfect venue for this show, and they took full advantage of the space's lighting and structural advantages. ...Ya'll sometimes I just let my brain hear things in the Edgar Allen voice - that's how much I love it and how lasting an effect The Coldharts have. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE BEST STUFF.


Company: Oncoming Productions
Show: Geminae
Venue: Southern Theater

I've seen both of these X-Files episodes...

I felt like with a little bit of editing, this would probably be one of my favorite shows ever. It has all the elements, but maybe needs a little help in the re-organization. I could've used another scene with Cassie in space - because that was some of the most visually compelling part of the narrative , and I think we could use more time getting to know her to aid in the tragedy later on. The Earth scenes felt a little bogged down by exposition and dialogue in comparison and some parts felt a little redundant when I wanted to be seeing more cool space stuff. Kudos to Victoria Pyan and Emily Lindholm for carrying the brunt of the emotional work on this show. They did so quite well - and I love me some sister drama. Robb gets credit for most of the physically demanding stuff! (Such a good void!!) I had an issue with the ending. Strongly felt like instead of building to the BIG DECLARATION - they got there too fast and the audience just had to sit at 11 for far too long and I felt that it severely affected my enjoyment of the end sequence. Would have also REALLY liked to see Emily back onstage with Robb to get a really stunning visual of the conflict with the two sisters as a final picture. Everything could have worked the same, just with her there. I have so many nick-picky things because it was right at the edge of amazing for me, not because things weren't done well overall. *If anyone is curious, the X-Files episodes I'm referring to are "Space"(Terrible, do not watch) and "Ghost in the Machine"(Less terrible, but still not quality) :)


Company: Paper Soul
Show: SOFT
Venue: Ritz Theater Mainstage

*lalalaicanthearyou* THIS WAS PERFECT.

Motz is one of my favorite people at Fringe. Not only is he a super cool guy - but the work that he makes is consistently on my top list every year. He creates characters that are so naturalistic and layered that you will question the line between artist and creation. If that wasn't good enough, he combines that gift with some seriously intelligent and nuanced themes. SOFT is no different, although utilizing a new overall genre to explore the initiation and recruitment of the Incel/Men's-Rights-Activist/Fragile White Male psyche. Director Shalee Coleman skillfully orchestrates a very slow building nightmare with precision. Each moment of impact and build was perfectly stacked to create tension that had me squirming. *Also, round of applause for hiring a female director for this show* Lots of people are whining about telegraphing the horror elements. Hi, it's okay - you knew it was a horror show going in. There are content warnings at Fringe. So what if it didn't surprise you - it was SO SUCCESSFUL at creating tension and talking about some REAL and REALLLLLLY messed up stuff. It's weird to judge something off of the expectations you had for it going in - This was easily some of the best work I saw at Fringe. Writing. Acting. Directing. Way to go, Motz!


Company: Mainly Me Productions
Show: A Justice League of Their Own
Venue: Theatre in the Round

Make way for the ladieesssssss

So. I feel like seeing the Carson show is required Fringe viewing. I've had some issues in the past with a lack of female voices on stage (I'm looking at you, 'Wright Bros' - using some of the twin cities most talented ladies as transition muses...*eyebrow*) I think they did very well with this show. Sulia does most of the plot-driving and she helps keep us semi-focused during all the break-neck shenanigans. Allison Witham immediately establishes an emotional element for the show the literal SECOND she walks out on stage. And hollllllly buckets - Heather Meyer. She really has to carry the brunt end of the work in a Josh Carson show when said show isn't about men. Outstanding. The show suffers from the same fatal flaw as most super hero team-up movies - there's just too many characters for an hour long show. We didn't get enough time with a few of our lady heroes and I suspect much of what had to be left on the chopping block was development for them. I was also just a little disappointed that a romance is played for laughs, as I think it would've been plenty successful (and very very sweet) without cueing the audience to laugh at it. I felt the most disengaged when our heroes left the stage to the guys for scenes that sometimes provided very necessary plot development, but also sometimes were Josh and Andy doing the Josh and Andy thing. Kudos to the both of you for only 4 "That must hurt your poor knees" cringes from me this time. See this when your brain has Fringe fog and you need something fun, fast, and feel-good to wake you back up again!


Company: TROMPE L'OEIL
Show: Bits & Bobs: An Evening of Short Plays
Venue: Theatre in the Round

Averages out to middle ground...

There's a little bit of everything and a lot going on with 'Bits n Bobs'. If you are looking for more variety in a shorter amount of time with your fringe, than this might be a good fit for you. Emily Garst, Rob Ward, and Tinne Rosenmeier all had clear stand out moments. Direction was well done for being in the round. As other reviews have mentioned there is one no one can understand.... and as we move through the hour, things become increasingly more questionable, so it was easy for my thoughts and focus to drift. First scene was strong, second scene was strong, Squirrel was obviously physically strong.


Company: Play-Dot
Show: Midwestworld
Venue: Southern Theater

Lots of tupperware, not many leftovers 2 take home

I've enjoyed previous works by almost everyone on this team. They mentioned in the show that it was a late entry and I think that explains most of the issues. For me, the show lacked awareness as to what it was actually trying to do - silly MN spoof (because when you get in to fringe late, that seems like a popular option), serious attempt at experimental science fiction, pun-fest 2018? Who knows? Nobody. It wasn't entirely un-enjoyable, but I felt that the writing bogged it down, the presentational nature of it felt weird (although later justified), acting was okay? Amanda Chail held her own, but I'm not sure if anyone else was there to match her. Which is made worse by being at the Southern where everything like that is magnified. The self-awareness of it also kind of used it over the edge for me. So many inside fringe jokes and welcome speeches and comments about reviews 20 minutes into the piece - the charm of which was short lived for me... I layed down a little towards the end. If you are one of those unfortunate people who love bad puns, the end "payoff" miiiiiiight be okay with you.


Company: The Winding Sheet Outfit
Show: Blood Nocturne
Venue: Southern Theater

“Lady show, ladies talking.”

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Amazing women onstage (also Josh and Derek) telling an incredibly twisted historical story... but also one that felt personal, like an ephemeral experience that could only come together under the care of this excellent ensemble. See this when you get tired of the Fringe sausage fest... if you can get tickets. CUZ THIS IS HOT FIRE. 🔥🔥🔥 Congratulations to Amber and the rest 💕


Company: Berlin Productions
Show: I Never Knock
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage

TURN AROUND.

I couldn’t take it. We walked out after an overwhelming number of comments were about the main character’s vagina and/or sexual promiscuity . 12 minutes in and I couldnt count how many times the word “bush” had been used. I left shaking with anger and I think my feminine rage conjured that insane storm. Sorry everyone else in Minneapolis - but mostly to the women in this show. Wow.


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