Sub-Total
2019 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Brian Stepanek
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Company: Breaker/Fixer Productions
Show: A Confederate Widow In Hell
Venue: Southern Theater
A must see Fringe masterpiece!
This is definitely one of the top Fringe shows of 2019. Not only did the cast do an amazing job acting (the show is basically a monologue with support, like “shrieking skull” from last year) , but the usage of lights, sounds, and props were all masterfully woven together with the play’s dialogue, creating a very chilling, thrilling, and, at times, poignant examination of the legacy that the South has left. Willi is an astounding actor and orator, but his partner deserves just as much praise. One small critique I would give is that the ability to almost read the script and watch the button pushing from the front right of the theatre is a bit distracting, but even with that, this is one of the best shows of 2019. If I could give it 10 stars, I would!
Company: New Endeavors
Show: The Buttslasher: And Then There Were Buns
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Hilarious fun!!!
I absolutely loved this super silly, super funny, completely mindless comedy! It was the perfect way to end a day of Fringe, with a ton of laughs. The cast will keep you entertained the whole hour (which will fly by), and the only bad part is you might laugh so hard that your sides will be sore the next day! The mime really made the show, but, overall, everyone did a phenomenal job!
Company: The Winding Sheet Outfit
Show: You Are Cordially Invited to the Life and Death of Edward Lear
Venue: Crane Theater
Funny, talented, and informative!
I must admit, I knew almost nothing about Edward Lear before I saw this show. To that end, this (extremely talented) group of performers from Winding Sheet did an amazing job honoring a man who is beloved in the UK but almost unknown here in the US. Like Lear himself, this show was quirky, silly, and, at times, very sentimental. I really enjoyed how the cast showcased their individual talents throughout. While Edward Lear might not be the most interesting subject for a Fringe show, they certainly did a great job keeping the audience entertained throughout and being educational in the process.
Company: Sheep Theater
Show: A Cult Classic
Venue: Southern Theater
Another funny “Sheep” production
This is another super silly Sheep play that had some really funny moments and kept the audience engaged the whole time. It wasn’t quite as good as their production last year (“Kaboom!”), but is still worth a watch!
Company: Paradox Productions
Show: Chocolate Covered Chicken Wings
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Great story and amazing acting
A super unique, original story and great acting, particularly by the lead actress, make this Fringe show really enjoyable. I would have liked to have seen a little less superfluous character development at the beginning and a little more resolution at the end considering the time constraint, but otherwise, very well done.
Company: Somerville Productions
Show: SIZE
Venue: Theatre in the Round
A great performance from this talented crew
Yet another great show from this cast of all-star Fringe veterans.
Company: Conspiracy of Three
Show: This is an Adventure!
Venue: Ritz Theater Studio
Great first show, but felt rough
Great content, a good overall storyline, and an awesome first ever Fringe show for someone who has almost no acting experience. However, this show also felt like it was still mid-development, with a lot of script reading and quite a few technical snafus. Worth a watch if you have ever or are ever planning on going through a pregnancy.
Company: Amie Durenberger
Show: Can I Borrow Your Poop?
Venue: Strike Theater
One of the best solo fringe shows I’ve ever seen!
What a funny, educational, witty, heartfelt show! Definitely make time to see what will surely be on short the list of “Best of Fringe” candidates!
Company: Devious Mechanics
Show: Edith Gets High
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Great fun!!!
Amazing writing, superb acting, great singing and music, and fantastic choreography. One of this year’s best overall shows!
Company: Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society
Show: Frankenstein: Two Centuries
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Another great show from these Fringe favorites
The super talented radio hosts of the Listening Society tell their stories (and make their sound effects and music) with such vividness that you’ll feel like you are right there witnessing these scary tales before your own eyes. I look forward to their show every year!
Company: Tom Reed
Show: Game of Toms: One-Man Game of Thrones
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
A lot of fun, even if you aren’t into GOT
This show is an entertaining one-man romp through the entire GOT series. Tom was really funny at times, and I liked his impressions. I was also super impressed by his singing voice, particularly his GOT rendition of “Let It Go.” Also, wow, that six pack.
Company: Flavorade Foucault
Show: Good Friday the 13th
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Sorta funny, but only sorta
This show was just ok. The humor was a bit odd at time (someone loudly said “what?” at one point, and the audience started cheering), but it was still funny part of the time too.
Company: Wandering Jew Productions
Show: Operation: Immigration
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Wowza this show is AMAZING
I can’t say enough about this show. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll definitely be on the edge of your seat the whole time, captivated by this beautiful tribute to the artist’s father, who immigrated twice, led a life (more than) worthy of a Fringe show, and raised a wonderful son. A must see!
Company: Ladybrain
Show: Unproblematic Faves: Best of Ladybrain
Venue: Strike Theater
Short but funny sketch comedy
This show is a short but funny series of sketch comedy acts that poke fun at all sorts of subjects, from Minneapolis to toxic masculinity to pop culture. You’ll definitely laugh!
Company: Weggel Productions
Show: Cat Confidential: The Secret Lives of the Mothers of Lions
Venue: Theatre in the Round
A heartfelt tribute to cats...with a real cat!
This is beautiful show by a group of amazing women. Much more than an homage to our four-legged friends, Cat Confidential explores how cats helped each of the cast members through both funny and difficult times in their own lives. I have to take off a star for the (pretty distracting) usage of written scripts by some of the cast. Otherwise, this hilarious and heartfelt production has all the makings of a Best-Of-Fringe show! And, it’s even got a real cat!
Company: Monster Science Productions
Show: How To Come Back From The Dead
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Another funny show by Matthew
If you’ve seen Matthew’s work before, you know about his “funny lecture” style. There were definitely a bunch of funny jokes and some interesting tidbits throughout the performance, and while some of it felt a bit slow and a few of the punch lines a bit forced, it’s definitely worth a watch.
Company: Jena Young Productions
Show: The Bisexual Unicorn and Other Mythological Creatures
Venue: Theatre in the Round
I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but...
This ensemble offers everything you could want from a Fringe show...a fresh perspective, challenging content that forces even the most (self-proclaimed) open minded person to question their assumptions, funny jokes, thoughtful and heartfelt stories, outlandish tricks, and whit galore. However, while most of the show was very well acted, there were a couple parts of the show that were noticeably under-rehearsed. Put some polish on those parts, and this is definitely one of the best shows of this year’s Fringe!
Company: Mermaid Productions
Show: Xena and Gabrielle Smash the Patriarchy
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Fun show, but a bit disjointed
This was a fun, entertaining romp from two savvy Fringe veterans, but it also felt a bit disjointed and confusing at times. Worth a watch for the laughs and the feminist message, but expect to ask yourself “wait, what’s happening right now?” a few times...
Company: Scammers, Thieves, and The Like
Show: #FirstDate
Venue: Strike Theater
Funny idea, not funny execution
Sooooo sloooooow. Very few laughs at this one.
Company: Rinky Dink Operations
Show: Mad as Nell, or How to Lose a Bly in Ten Days
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Wonderful show!
We really enjoyed this show! Great acting, pretty funny and informative content, and a wonderful history lesson. Definitely worth seeing!
Company: The Bearded Company
Show: Swords & Sorcery: The Improvised Fantasy Campaign
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Just as funny as always
Another hilarious improv act by this talented troop who excelled at thinking on their feet and keeping the audience laughing the whole time.
Company: Albino Squirrel Productions
Show: Zelda: The Hero of Fringe
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Funny show, even if you don’t know Zelda
A funny show with mostly good acting and good props. You will definitely laugh a lot if you played Zelda as a kid (or still do).