Sub-Total
2018 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member:
Company: Goof Goof
Show: (a) Normal Theatre Play
Venue: Strike Theater
Too Normal
When a production is called “Normal” by a company that is anything but, I expect something weirder and more interesting than the product I watched on Saturday. I’m a fan of Goof Goof’s other work, because it’s a bit off base and absurd and weird and funny. The adaptation they’re doing is played far too straight for me; while there are fun moments of oddity, they don’t occur nearly often enough to hold my attention through a pretty straightforward telling of a story we’ve all seen before.
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Company: Wayward Theatre Company
Show: Far Away by Caryl Churchill
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Good job
Wayward wows with a wonderful staging of an underperformed masterpiece. Though parts of Act 2 felt very rushed, the overall effect of the show was beautifully realized with a movement ensemble and original(?) music. Definitely try to squeeze this in because I can’t imagine another production any time soon near here.
Company: Paper Soul
Show: SOFT
Venue: Ritz Theater Mainstage
Squishy Horror
Motz delivers his strongest performance yet, but leaves us hanging on the body horror. The script raises some interesting questions on masculinity and loneliness, but doesn’t really plumb the depths of those fronts and how the results of that examination can be displayed on stage. If you’re already in Northeast, definitely give this one a go!
Company: Threepenny Productions
Show: Fools, Errant
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Foolish to Miss!
Errant is a cute little play that really zips along as the rapport between Adelsman and Buan is expertly timed and beautifully paced. The story is pretty straightforward for Fringe, but that’s to this show’s benefit as the stakes and emotions build naturally. The Princess Bride scene was a fun highlight. Highly reccomend this show!
Company: Grand Island Theatre
Show: Hamlet, but Hamlet's a Chicken
Venue: Minnsky Theatre
This. Is. FRINGE!
This sh*t is what Fringe was made for. Brilliant concept(s)! I won’t say too much here, but suffice to say the Dada doesn’t end with Chickens. Great dramaturg notes in the program for those unfamiliar with Dadaism. My only critique was that the absurdity worked best when the actors interacted with the Chicken authentically, and not with a wink to the audience. Ophelia was the best on the chicken front. Try not to miss this sure to be hit!
Company: Concrete Drops
Show: Inescapable
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Complete MindF**k
Uff da, does Dockery have a talent for writing Tripp’s two handers. Just like Moonlight after Midnight from a few years ago, it’s best to walk into this one with no expectations and just let the experience wash over you. I don’t want to give too much away, but suffice to say it’s brilliantly acted and a helluva lotta fun. Don’t miss this show
Company: The Skyline Collective
Show: Wasn't This Supposed to Be a Musical?
Venue: Ritz Theater Mainstage
Affecting
The last five minutes of this show, with its beautifully understated delivery, makes this whole piece worth it. The music lived in an area seemingly directly inspired by Sondheim’s Company and Kitt/Yorkey’s next to normal; the lyrics, however, were not nearly as clever as those gems and could get very clunky and awkward at times. Each actor is a capable singer, especially both of the women in the cast. Great way to start the weekend.
Company: Navel Gaze Productions
Show: Fringe Orphans 4: Back in the Habit
Venue: Theatre in the Round
As Advertised
Mostly hits but some misses. Highlights were David Schlosser’s monologue on gay dating and Kirsten Stephens’ dance with a three legged chair.
Company: Theatre Corrobora
Show: Rejection
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Human
Rejected has a very interesting script that gave me plenty to think about regarding my own relationships past and present. Good performances throughout though they never completely drew me in; I wanted to feel more as I was consuming the drama. I understand there was a last minute replacement and it didn’t feel awkward at all to have a new collaborator on book so kudos to all involved.
Company: All's Swole That Ends Swole
Show: Swimming Against Fate, or How it Feels to Chew Five Gum
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Confusing and Slow
This full hour long show has at least fifteen short scenes and just as many transitions, a few of which were longer than some of the scenes. This made the show drrrrrrraaaaaaaggggg itself out slowly which was not to its benefit. The nonlinear storytelling was confusing both before and after I figured out its conceit. Nothing was illuminated thematically or dramatically by this choice; it rendered the overall effect terribly confusing and the characters initially inaccessible. Kudos to the two young performers for dealing with an oblique and awkward script.
Company: Some Lady's Production
Show: The Phone Sex Play
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Fun Start to Fringe
Sierra is a fun actress who gives a lived-in performance in what amounts to a very funny premise. We watch Alicia listen to many many very lonely men help her own lonely road to self-realization. However, I was left feeling a bit rushed towards that ultimate epiphany, that it hadn't been earned. See it if you're in the neighborhood and have an open slot!