Sub-Total
2022 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Corrie Fiedler
Company: Michael Rogers
Show: Developers
Venue: CFPA Black Box
Perfect goodbye to Fringe 2022
Fantastic acting (we loved the 'half completed' character and the enthusiasm for drawing bears) and the actors were having a heck of a good time. We didn't quite sort out the two women characters (was the one on the left the girlfriend or mother)?
Company: Alisa Rosenthal
Show: One-Woman Beaches
Venue: HUGE
Unbelievable energy, humor, and pathos
Wow, what a boost of energy and entertainment. I hadn't seen Beaches, but Allisa drew enough lines between the dots that her rendition made total sense. And, not only a one-woman show of Beaches, but lots about Allisa and her upbringing. How did that ever fit into 50 minutes? Incredible.
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Company: Kelly McGuigan
Show: Can I Interest You in Me?
Venue: HUGE
Fun and enlightening
Though the topic was difficult, Kelly kept us engaged through every minute by moving between (actual) bartending, stories of her life, and anecdotes from the service industry. We hope you continue your Fringe events, return to Minneapolis, and make it to Edinborough!
Company: Sam and Bethany Walker
Show: Stars of the Twin Cities
Venue: CFPA Black Box
Relaxing music
Live music with sort of a childrens' storybook (on screen), but with letters too small and vocabulary too large for a child to read. Relaxing to watch, as long as one didn't try to bring too much meaning into the story. Not quite sure who the audience is here?
Company: Wheeler In The Sky
Show: ‘WHOOSH! The Civil War Mythology of Michael Hickey and His Perilous Precipitation Over St. Anthony Falls.’
Venue: CFPA Black Box
This show had everything!
Historical content, humor, life lessons, and lots of exciting use of props and physical comedy. We'll be back to see Andrew when he mounts a new show. Outstanding!!
Company: The Churchill Theater
Show: Burr: A New Musical
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Absolutely bursting with potential
I have a hard time writing reviews for productions with young casts and playrights ... and tend toward the 'level playing field' approach. That said, this was an excellent production (creativity, action, plot, music, and singing). As others have noticed the sound could use some work, as well as a better plot flow (I realize they had to cut 15 minutes, and this could have been part of the root cause). That said, I hope to see many, many more workshop versions as this progresses to a very worthy goal.
Company: Nocturnal Giraffe
Show: Piñata
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Funny, not overly silly
We like funny, but not silly, and Pinata delivered. In fact, comedy isn't our usual go to, and this was one of my favorite comedies of the 2022 Fringe. Creative premise, well executed (the acting was really phenomenal). My only (and small) gripe is that while we understand how the great (the mean mom) fell, her change in attitude when penalized was pretty abrupt and extreme.
Company: Ripped Nylons Productions
Show: Endometriosis: the Musical
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Fabulous ensemble
Again, I feel as though I'm putting a minority view into the review stream. We loved the top rate music, though the puns and over-the-top tropes seem dated [frankly, I'm 70, and haven't seen this sort of behavior since my early 30s, so some of it just seemed mean to our medical profession]. Many of the satire 'hits' seemed easy, familiar, and less creative than I expected.
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Company: Hey Rube!
Show: Orzel Rising
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Creative drama for the serious fringe goer
All around top rate experience .... creative (the pom poms and destroyer reflectioms), great acting, instructional (but not boring) insight into WWII. Just what I look for in my serious fringe shows, which I usually prefer to comedy.
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Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: A Day with the Newhearts
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Goofy satire musical
If goofy, satire musical is your thing, Newharts scores! Acting and aural props (ads and audience soundtrack) are first rate creativity, but sometimes overwhelm the dialog. Minnesota-nice elements are numerous and straighforward. A refreshing start to a long day of fringing.
Company: The Aquatic Center
Show: swim team
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Mystified and charmed...
... and headed out to buy a copy of July's short stories. Definately in our running for the 'most Fringy' this year ....
Company: Timothy Berry
Show: Wounded Healers
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
All the theater arts: art, history, music, singing
...plus a sobering and impactful story of the Black body experience in the US. This was show #32 for us, including many musicals. Daniel had by far the best and most moving voice. We (my sister and I) have attended Fringe together sinde 2011 and just made a commitment for next year: attend the shows with BIPOC and GLBTQIA voices EARLY (first showings) so we post their deserved great reviews early. We challenge you to do the same.
Company: Haute Dish Productions
Show: Bonny & Read
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Best music and singing of the Fringe (so far)
What a delight! Singing, dancing, two strong women, two excellent narrators, a fantastic supporting cast. I did, though, have a hard time following the plot with the actors playing many characters. Bonnie & Read had to cancel their first THREE performances, so I saw opening night (on Friday) and you only have Sunday left. Give this excellent performance the audience (in 2, rather than 5 performances) the audience they deserve. Cast and audience alike had a great time.
Company: Paper Soul
Show: Paper Soul
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
And speaking for the minority opinion ...
A coming-of-age story of a life whose primary meaning seems to be 'Fringe is a cool thing.' While I agree, I hope that Motz finds a broader and more compelling meaning in life as he crosses the threshold of 40. Very 'inside baseball,' and while local artists in the audience were cracking up, it appeared as though the rest of us were perplexed about how this relates to us. I feel sad to have attended Paper Soul, while missing other shows where the artists put energy, meaning, and (sorry Motz) structure into their work.
Company: Katy White
Show: Hi, My Name Is....
Venue: HUGE
More energy than I have ever seen on stage ...
I hope Katy (and maybe Katherine also) are able to take a well-deserved nap after every performance. Mind-blowing performance of the inner conflict that goes on in all of us. My 30th show this Fringe, so I have some basis for comparison. It was really fantastic. See it!!
Company: Jill R. Hildebrandt
Show: Dead Mother's Underwear
Venue: CFPA Black Box
Fabulous performance of a moving story ...
The other reviews say it all! We loved the 'maternal trauma tree' episode: creative and insightful. Maybe the education debt episode went on a bit too long. We appreciated the 50 minutes we spent with Jill and her family.
Company: Snikt! Bamf! Thwip!
Show: Michael Bay's Bridgerton VII: Revenge of the Forlorn
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Haven't seen Bridgerton? Then watch audience!
I know nothing about Bridgerton, so like many of Tim Wick's satires, much (mostly all) of the dialogue and acting was lost on me. But the audience around me was absolutely dying of laughter: shrieking and then having to muffle to hear the next line. I could tell it was very well done, though I did ask my sister (who knows Bridgerton) about some of the plot points, and she wasn't very clear about them. If you (and your Fringe partner) don't know Bridgerton, then maybe give it a skip, unless you appreciate audience engagement and Tim Wick's work!
Company: Phantom Chorus Theatre
Show: Bellerophon's Shadow: Voyage of the Pegasus
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
(Mostly) Serious Physical Comedy with Puppet
Wow, just wow. This was a last minute choice (based on their previews, which I couldn't get out of my mind). This was Show 26 for me this year, and I am tempted to go back (that never happens when there are so many new shows I want to see) We Fringe goers know we have silly physical comedy and serious physical comedy every year. This is the later and it is fabulous. And the puppet? You will begin thinking of them as a real person (or at least a 'real AI') very early on. Just one more showing, so go!
Company: Kyle Munshower and Company
Show: THE MAN FROM EARTH
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Lots of fun, great details, outstanding acting
Perfect start to Wednesday Fringe! We didn't know much about Spiral Theater and there weren't many reviews, so we went in fairly blind (at least for us). We aren't familiar with the movie - in fact, didn't even know there was a movie! But we had a great time ... lots of creativity and nearly a full house (530, Wednesday), so get there early.
Company: Brad Lawrence
Show: Life Underground
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Stream of conciousness story, fab last 2 minutes
I realize I am the minority view here (that's twice in my reviews for last night's shows). While the first 45 minutes introduced us to Brad and his story, I wish we would have had more of a dramatic arc. Had I not read the reviews, I would have had no idea where this was headed ... and frankly there were moments I thought I was in the wrong show (subway? deafness?). But the last two minutes had a message for all of us.
Company: Mad Company
Show: Connor's Gonna Tell: The Táin Bó Cúailnge
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
A lecture without the pre-reading?
I realize I am the minority view here ... but my mental processes could have done with a bit more orientation to the story (something in the program?, visual mockups of the various characters?). Without them it was hard to stay engaged until quite far into the story. Storytelling and acting was first rate. Lots of pacing to adapt to the 'almost theater in the round' but that was more a function of the theater.
Company: Fortune's Fool Theatre
Show: The Hysterical Woman
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Maybe not what you are expecting (in a good way)
We went to see this as part of our many year tradition of seeing whatever Ariel is in (not that we know her, but we have seen some excellent work from her). And I am not sorry: the script and the 'approach' (less stridency, more human interest and empathy) was great. I especially like the scene with the detective and the Brittany / Yellow Wallpaper scene. Ariel and team, we will be back to see you next year!
Company: Goddard's Gardens
Show: Ancestors Rising
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Minnesotans, we have a genius in our midst!!
I can't believe I have lived in the Twin Cities for 35+ years without knowing of Joe Davis. An amazing poet, visionary, artist, storyteller, and motivator (amongst many other things). I just added him to my Twitter feed so I can continue seeing his work. Am waiting anxiously until he starts his Tik Tok. Fill the Mixed Blood for Joe. You won't be sorry!!
Company: Kurkendaal-Barrett Presentations
Show: The Real Black Swann , Confessions of America's First Black Drag Queen
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
More Queen, please!
As other reviewers have noted, this is an integration (mash-up) of Les' experiences with those of William Dorsey Swann. Les is such an amazing actor, that perhaps we could have learned more about Swann with fewer of Les' (now well known) stories of his life.
Company: Clevername Theatre
Show: Who's Afraid of Winnie the Pooh?
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Very, very funny without descending into silliness
What a crazy idea to integrate Winnie and Who's Afraid ....! And, yes, we were suspecious that we would be seeing unbaked ideas or the script would descend into silliness. Just the opposite: a very well thought, crazy funny performance. Some year Fringe needs to add a 'best actor' category. Buan would get it in a heartbeat, but not sure it should be 'best actor in a drama' or 'best actor in a comedy'.
Company: Penny: For Your Thoughts
Show: ShMILF Life
Venue: Bryant Lake Bowl
Minneapolis Fringers: This is for you!!
Come on guys. Read the reviews, or remember Penny's last show in 2017. Awesome in every aspect. Penny had a very small audience last night ... but as an LGBTQIA out-of-towner, we know to show her Minneapolis Fringe's diverse and loving audiences. The show is really excellent, and alot of fun with some learning baked in.
Company: Lampstand of the Covenant Productions
Show: Neil Gaiman's "The Wedding Present"
Venue: CFPA Flex
Bring on more Neil Gaiman
I follow Neil on Twitter, but have not read any of his works. Though they are now on my list. I appreciated the script (though knowing it had been adapted for the gay couple, and maybe in a few other ways to hit the 50 minute mark. Acting was outstanding ... the stage manager is still 'filling in' but the script was almost unnoticable amongst all the play's activity and emotion. A good experience all around.
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Company: House Full of Frogs
Show: Sunshine by Adam Szudrich
Venue: CFPA Flex
Fabulous acting, so-so script
This show had an odd set of positive and 'less positive' reviews. We took a chance on it, and are generally glad we did. Lisa did an outstanding job, and if there were 'timing' issues with the audio in previous performances, they were totally resolved. The script though: may a few things were lost in cutting it to 50 minutes. The scenes with the three different guys were difficult for me to differentiate between. I didn't see the redemption at the end, which caused this to seem really dated.
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Company: Change Narrative LLC.
Show: Changing the Narrative: Climate Stories for Justice
Venue: Bryant Lake Bowl
See this one: Bring climate justice into your life
We have been having a blast at Fringe, so the lower key, educational tone of Changing the Narrative was just what we needed. Especially loved the poems, music, and art. Top rate!
Company: Killer Whale Collective
Show: Moonwatchers
Venue: HUGE
Everything Fringe with great theater craft
These guys are just fantastic ... funny, creative, unexpected. Costumes, props, lighting are top rate. Nothing more to say except see MOONWATCHERS.
Company: Lessismore Productions
Show: Rewrites
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Drama at 10pm? Don't worry
We were a little worried in making this our 10pm show (and sixth of the day) on Saturday. No problem: an interesting and well done production. Kept us engaged at every step. Acting (especially the befuddled characters) was fabulous. The angle of the Augsberg seats isn't very steep. At the next staging (whereever that may be), you might want to consider a standing desk, so we can see facials clearly.
Company: Tom Reed
Show: Erotica for Houseplants
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Tom Reed at his best ....
There really isn't much more to say than "Tom Reed at his best." Other than this probably isn't a first date choice, nor one to which to take your grandma. [Though don't get me wrong, I'm 70 myself and thought it was hysterical, just not sure how I'd feel with my 12 year old grandnephews next to me]
Company: Jackdonkey Productions
Show: A Drug Play
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Performers at the top of their crafts
Everything from the costumes to the lighting to the music to the dancing to the staging (not easy in the Theater in the Round) to the fighting (special call out here) was top rate. I did not feel lectured to for even a minute: it felt like satire (against the feds and big pharma) and not more like lecturing than Swift or Bulgakov. If I had a very small nit to pick, it would be the need to stitch together the D.A.B.S. part with the long ending dance sequence.
Company: James Gutzman/Melody Bay Productions
Show: PEOPLE R READY-The Musical
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Remember the Fringe commitments
Long time Fringe attendee here: one of the Fringe commitments is to: "Guide and support artists’ efforts." While I teach at UMN and expect the highest quality of my students, I also work at providing them feedback that helps them grow as (soon to become) professionals. Thus my review: Great job at inclusion and a heart-felt theme. Most of the singing was excellent. What you might consider is having differently-able adults sit through early version of the work, and get some coaching on staging. The idea has tons of promise. keep with it!!
Company: Christopher Kehoe
Show: Jesus Qhrist
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
So much promise!
Christopher is a fabulous actor: in both roles. And much of the satire is spot on (very funny and very uncomfortable). The connection could have been so much more, there are some cool options other than his 12 buddies' reminders of the inconsistencies as JC goes down the rabbit hole.
Company: Toby Cryns
Show: Happy Endings Church: A Haggardly Tale of Woe & Redemption
Venue: Augsburg Studio
A clever, musical blitz back to the headlines!
I was looking at the content warnings as I wrote this review: abuse, adult language, crude humor, and it goes on. I suppose that is all true, but it was hard to remember. Our lasting impression was of a clever, musical start to our Sunday. I know that the composers are new at this, and some of the actors also. But it is professional in every way. Hope to see an extended verson of this at one of our theaters in the future (as we have for other Fringe musicals in years past).
Company: Gabriel Mata and Adrian Gaston Garcia
Show: Jotería: Our Untold Stories...
Venue: CFPA Black Box
A 'two guys talking' video podcast
If you enjoy that format (chit-chat between friends) you'll love this. I went for the dance, and there was very, very little of that.
Company: The Coldharts
Show: Silver Hammer
Venue: CFPA Black Box
Funny insanity? not an oxymoron in Nick's hands
I'm usually not a fan of humor, and especially not of 'silly humor'. But this is exactly the opposite: intellectual humor. Nick had the audience eating out of his hand through the entire show. Yes, it is about his journey into "disinformation, non-linear warfare, arson, troll-farms, Russian oligarchs, psychic attacks, tik tok." If you wonder if you will like it, check out his deconstruction of (the song) Silver Hammer on the out of towners previews. Not to be missed.
Company: The Winding Sheet Outfit
Show: Årsgång: What You Follow Follows You
Venue: Theatre in the Round
If this is horror, I'll take more
Long time Fringe attendee here, and I typically stay away from shows marked Horror. And of course, don't attend the local horror festival. Though as others have said, this was a compelling folktale with every aspect at 100% of the craft. [Fun fact: did you notice that wine glasses were being played as part of the aural background?] Short story: run, don't walk to the Theater in the Round, even if horror isn't necessily your thing. I want to comment on the earlier comment that the reviewer appreciated Winding Sheet's 'story driven' performances more. I'm assuming he meant Darger, Leer, etc I loved those, and enjjoyed this just as much.
Company: Doc Woods & Friends
Show: Black Wall Street: Dreamland Theatre
Venue: Augsburg Studio
We felt as though we were in the Dreamland Theatre
The creator of this work had a vision and it was perfectly executed. Acting, visuals, sound effects, costumes, script were all perfect. We felt as though we were sitting in the Dreamland Theatre, rather than Augsburg Studio [Hint: that studio is small, so get your tickets early. This is a great production]
Company: Belville Productions
Show: Cowboy & Widow, A Honkytonk Musical
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Still talking about this ...
If the sign of a great entertainment is talking about it the next morning, then Cowboy and Window hit the mark. My sister and I are sitting here over our 2nd cup of coffee rethinking this (no spoilers, per the request). Maybe just a little, tiny more help in understanding the ending? Lynn Lohr was absolutely fantastic!
Company: 2HOOTS PRODUCTIONS
Show: Jon Bennett: FIRE IN THE METH LAB
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Alternate title: Life with an addict brother
Solid story, though the blurry focus of the projector diminished some of the visual impact. Great job with the video clip of using Wonder Years clips for us not familiar with the show. At the end of the day, it was more about addiction of all types than about METH. A bit choppy, though Jon was clear that it was tough to shorten his Edinborough length (75 minute) show to MN Fringe new 50 minutes standard.
Company: SAATH
Show: Desi Heart Crust
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Ton of fun with a social message
We had a blast, as did the performers. Lots of energy, though a few first night jittery-type situations. Loved, loved, loved the creativity of the red silk scene (purposely left out any spoiler here!)