Sub-Total
2022 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Marie Cooney
Company: Timothy Berry
Show: Wounded Healers
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
LAST CHANCE! See Wounded Healers Sunday at 1pm!
Music and spoken word, too often untold history and experiences of what is held in black bodies, was shared with power, grace, and dignity. I want to see more show like this in the future. Keep expanding accessibility to diverse communities!
Company: Mad Company
Show: Connor's Gonna Tell: The Táin Bó Cúailnge
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
One More Show Sunday!
I knew I had to see this show at the very beginning of the Three Minute Preview! A very enchanting journey of a Celtic tale. The Brogue got me right away, because of my Irish grandparents! See if possible on Sunday!
Company: Luna Muse
Show: The Witchy World of Luna Muse
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Over the Rainbow with Luna Muse
I love that Luna Muse loved witches as a young boy, because they had power. Too often, he did not have power as a child, except through his wonderful imagination and wonderful women like nana. The singing, the stories, the dancing, and so much more was packed into less than an hour! And two shows back to back tonight! I commend Luna Muse for picking up five extra performance times due to cancellations! See her last show Sunday!
Company: Lampstand of the Covenant Productions
Show: Neil Gaiman's "The Wedding Present"
Venue: CFPA Flex
Final Performance with Original Cast!
Congratulations to all who made this show happen through thick and thin. I am not familiar with the source material, but I found the stage adaptation very engaging.
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Company: J. Jean Productions
Show: Expiration Date
Venue: HUGE
Sour Milk of a Relationship
I wanted to enjoy this show more than I did. The old hippy mother and leave me alone daughter were good starting points. For me, there was too much repetition instead of development of more complex characters. I wanted to see them rounded out instead of the sometimes tedious repetition of dialogue and actions. Not much of an arc throughout the show, but the ending was moving.
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Company: Kelly McGuigan
Show: Can I Interest You in Me?
Venue: HUGE
A mocktail 🍹delight!
A toast to Kelly with my mocktail delight! A very enjoyable show with great humor, sincere honesty, professional bartender advice, personal experiences of family history, denial, moderation treatment programs, pink clouds and more along the road to sobriety. The group she mentions for those in the service industry is the best non-AA option! Find your own paths!
Company: Penny: For Your Thoughts
Show: ShMILF Life
Venue: Bryant Lake Bowl
A Penny For Your Thoughts....
Penny gives us a treasure chest of gold nuggets to mull over regarding her journey as a transgender woman. Great humor mixed with raw emotion, not tied up in a nice bow. See this show and share your thoughts with friends and family.
Company: Penny: For Your Thoughts
Show: ShMILF Life
Venue: Bryant Lake Bowl
A Penny For Your Thoughts....
Penny gives us a treasure chest of gold nuggets to mull over regarding her journey as a transgender woman. Great humor mixed with raw emotion, not tied up in a nice bow. See this show and share your thoughts with friends and family.
Company: Haute Dish Productions
Show: Bonny & Read
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
A Treasure Chest of Chests Hidden & Revealed
Shiver me timbers! THREE SHOWS CANCELED followed by thunderous performance! Song, dance, sword fights, male misrepresentation of HERstory, danger, adventures in love and more. FILL THE HOUSE FOR THEIR SECOND AND FINAL SHOW!!! (I seriously want the cast to sail with me upon Granuaile, named after the Pirate Queen of Ireland!)
Company: SAATH
Show: Desi Heart Crust
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Strongest Script Ever with Multicultural Dancing
Sometimes, exceptional dancing has been loosely linked by dialogue and acting. This year was the strongest script ever with an exceptionally powerful story, weaving together multicultural dancing. I cried. I cried for various reasons: It was sad that so many Fringe shows were cancelled, including one of these performance. To see the enthusiasm with which the company returned to the stage brought tears of joy. The pain of the race riots and dialogue about not understanding the responses of the black "my community" is still raw and better explained. The pain and confusion of the Indian community also torn apart, by vandalism to "their community", was equally raw. Both right. Neither wrong. And then the dancing! Dancing of individual communities! Dancing of combined communities. And final tears of celebration: the standing ovation by the Fringe community. A refreshing return to the stage with powerful messages through script and dancing! Thank you all!
Company: Fortune's Fool Theatre
Show: The Hysterical Woman
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Hysterical... Except When It's Not.
From antiquity, throughout history, and today, women are accused of or dismissed as being "hysterical" and not in the funny ways. There are definitely funny moments, but the after punch comes each time character and then also audience members repeat the mantra, "This never happens!" during the rare times women seem to be taken seriously, but are not. See this show if possible.
Company: Special When Lit
Show: Finger Lickin' Good
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Lots of laughter. Fun ensemble. Star performances.
Funny from the moment the audience walks in to see Colonel Sanders lounging, throughout, and till the end. Fact checker was lots of fun with cues and commentary. Revolving cast of characters from ensemble was fun. If everything has been too damn serious and dismal over the past few years that live performance shut down, this is show to dive into the deep end for comic relief.
Company: Laura Dierke Productions
Show: She’s Already Gone
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
When? When is She Already Gone?
Great title for excellent show about different times people already go, before they leave. I'll leave it at that. Well done.
Company: The Winding Sheet Outfit
Show: Årsgång: What You Follow Follows You
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Round and Round and Round They Went...
Theatre in the Round was the perfect venue for this tale that went round and round and round with many journeys of animals, people, the living and the dead. Very moving.
Company: Broken Wing Productions
Show: My Empty Arms
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Passing Through So Many Thresholds
In my Celtic heritage, the threshold represents passing through the time between times and the places between places, through the world between worlds. This is exactly what I thought about as Sheree passed through one door after another, after another, after another. The stories of women who gave up children for adoptions need to be told more often, especially in this current day. So many obstacles and difficult choices along the way!
Company: Comedy Suitcase
Show: Bob and Reggie Go To Bed
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
From the Mouths of Babes....
What a delight to hear such laughter from the mouth of babes! It was nice to see and hear children at this year's MN Fringe, especially since there weren't many shows specifically geared towards them. Adults, of course, didn't hold back their laughter either at the slap stick antics of two men getting ready for bed, a visiting tooth fairy, and live sound, music, and foley cues! Laughter is the Best Medicine and exactly what I needed this evening.
Company: The Bearded Company
Show: Swords & Sorcery: The Improvised Fantasy Campaign
Venue: Theatre in the Round
SIMPLY WOW!!! And I don't play D&D!
WOW, WOW, and MORE WOW! I attended the third show on my way to another! What a delight with rip roaring, hysterical improve! I don't even play D&D, though I am aware of the game. THIS SHOW brought the game to life! No experience is needed to dive into this amazing, over the top world of improv with this outstanding company! GO, GO, GO! Only two more shows!
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Company: Change Narrative LLC.
Show: Changing the Narrative: Climate Stories for Justice
Venue: Bryant Lake Bowl
An Unplanned Delight
I stayed for this show after another at Bryant Lake Bowl, and I am very glad I did so. I enjoyed the educational, artistic, seeking climate justice and personal story aspects of this show. This was a new direction and cultural expansion for the MN Fringe Festival. We could grow to new depths and greater inclusion with shows like this! Thanks for being part of the festival. One particular highlight for me was the singing, drumming, and guitar!
Company: Laura Packer, storyteller
Show: Becoming Baba Yaga
Venue: Bryant Lake Bowl
"Ask a Different Question."
How many of us have had the good fortune to be able to ask about life in "the old country"only to receive an unsatisfactory answer. I loved Laura's advice to ask a different question: to ask about the stories while growing up in the old country for there you will find the essence of truths of a culture that might be better served in story mixed with history. When experiencing a fear unimaginable, "go to the woods!" We know from many wars and conflicts, one might find escape or death, but it will be different than standing still. Laura Packer is an amazing storyteller. She weaves the personal questions of her children and finds answers in ancient tales, in which she then becomes the conduit from the past into the present and the future. The wise crone, you can learn much from her if you wish to follow her on Facebook! I promise, there is much delight and some fear to follow! I am personally so pleased that Laura is part of this year's MN Fringe Festival! This specific story is appropriate for all ages and encourages audience participation at the ed. SEE IF POSSIBLE!!!
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Company: Mairzie Dotes Productions
Show: The Dog Show
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Seymour the dog sees more than might be expected.
Wonderful, beautiful, delightful and painful story of love found, love lost, and surviving together. Dogs are absolutely amazing and loving creatures. I am so happy Marry Jo has such a wonderful companion with which to share her grief and love. Sometime we don't get the pet we want, but the one we need. they don't always heel and behave perfectly, but they help as heal through the most distressing times. Thanks, Mary Jo, for sharing such a raw and powerful story!
Company: Tom Reed
Show: Erotica for Houseplants
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Rip roaring, hysterically funny.
The last few years have been so dark and dismal. It was refreshing to have an over the top Fringe show that was so much fun with a packed house, doubling over with laughter! I don't think there was a speck of "Minnesota nice" in the house, just plants that wanted to be understood, go out on a limb of exploration, and leave the audience laughing long after the house lights came up. Glad I heard the buzzing bee about this show early in the run.
Company: Rebecca Wickert
Show: The Killing of Eve
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Criminal or Sacramental?
Spoiler alerts: Brilliant throughout! The demonic faceless male god/governmental leader who demands adoration from and total control over women dressed in white with red slippers is despicable,horrifically frightening, and a very real current and future dystopian figure. The opening rote prayers reminded me of the MN Opera's "Handmaiden's Tale" where those who can, serve only one purpose: to bare children. When Eve discovers bleeding between her legs the reason is unclear: it could be a miscarriage, fear of a fetus that cannot survive, an unwanted pregnancy forced upon her, or the decision she cannot choose to bring a child into such an unjust and horrific world. A decision is made, but not alone, and not lightly. The fetus must be taken. This is not a light hearted decision for the potential risks are great. "Are you sure?" the women ask. "Yes." What follows is a sacred ritual, where the other women comfort Eve and assist in the horrifically painful process. Though disturbing, it is also beautiful. I am reminded of a tee shirt I remember seeing long ago: "if men got pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament." The demonic powers that be know a grave sin has been committed and demand to find out who has perpetrated it. An eye for an eye. A tongue torn out. Horrific and tortuous punishments. Eve comes forward. it is she, the one they seek, and as has happened throughout history: a woman is burned at the stake for her refusal to be dominated over by men who see them as less than, inferior, inhuman. But Eve will have her revenge. She is resurrected as a golden warrior, returning to destroy the enemy that has destroyed so many. I am reminded of Lilith, from the Jewish faith, who was Adam's first mate. He wanted her to lie beneath him so he could have dominion over her like all the beasts and animals of the world. She refuses. She wants to lie beside Adam and be his equal. Adam is enraged. Lilith leaves the Garden of Eden of her own free will. Some say she represents all that is evil in women. Other's say she represents all that is free and self actualizing. Either way, the joke is on Adam. When he complains to god that he wants another one to replace the one who left, Eve is created from his rib, his side, representative of her being his equal. And yet for centuries, Adam and so many self righteous men do not get it, refuse to accept women as human beings in their own right. This is a very powerful and a very disturbing show, but one with hope that when women are strong and united, they cannot and will not be kept down. Goddess bless all the wondrous women of the past, present, and future who will not be dominated over by those who are despicable and demonic towards them. May all that is divine, bring forth a more tolerant human race.Amazing costumes. Pertinent sound cues. Outstanding direction and so much more. See this show, and stay for the audience discussion.
Company: Alisa Pritchett/Out Of The Mist Celtic Theatre
Show: We Are The Sea
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Waves... Waves... And Mores Waves... Eternal Waves
Waves, waves of music playing.... Waves, waves of starvation.... Waves, waves of grief, leaving family and loved ones in the old country... Waves, waves of illnesses, emptying a ship know as the coffin boat... Waves, waves of hatred, intolerance, treating people as less than human: the sick, the dying, the dead, the soon to be dead... Waves, waves of compassion, respecting those suffering... WE ARE THE SEA!... Waves, Waves of Women Dancing... Waves, Waves of Women Singing... Waves of the Sea embracing the bodies of those tossed overboard with no dignity.... Waves of the Sea embracing those released to the sea with love and longing... Waves, waves embracing and remembering the stories of those lost at sea, whose stories will live on.... Waves, waves embracing the despicable, reminding them of there own story they want to deny... Waves, the sea growing bigger and bigger. It is not dust from which we are born and dust to which we will return. It is water that makes up are greatest being, and is the return to water that is most holy, sacred, and healing, at a time when all is lost and yet continues! This was most beautiful and moving. Thank you all!
Company: Jawaahir Dance Company
Show: Dancing through Egypt
Venue: CFPA Flex
Through the Eyes of a Non-Dancer
There were some dancers I found my eyes immediately drawn to more than others because of the fluid movement of their bodies that seemed so natural and sometime supernatural in sensuousness. The colorful costumes accentuated the beauty of the dances; especially the necklines, the jewelry, the wraps around the waists and butts, and flowing pieces in the air. I found the narrator more distracting than informative, due to the back of her clipboard and reading verses speaking to the audience in the role of a tour guide, which like the change in lighting took me out of the mood of the dance into another time and place. I have found spoken word voice over more pleasing between dances.
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Company: Lady Chamberlain Productions
Show: Virality
Venue: CFPA Black Box
Past & Present
I enjoyed the parallels between the past and present in the play as well as the parallels between the past and present pandemics. Dread of domestic violence is as real now and then. And a little lesbian or queer storyline can be titillating and nicely choreographed.
Company: Gabriel Mata and Adrian Gaston Garcia
Show: Jotería: Our Untold Stories...
Venue: CFPA Black Box
Don't Run with Scissors!
It's all a game, until someone gets hurt! Gabriel and Adrian create a game with cards revealing very personal and painful stories of their past, while growing up Queer and Mexican American. There are also very sensuous and beautiful scenes told through story and dance about friendship, beauty, and hope! I first saw and absolutely loved Gabriel in his solo performance of Dreamland. It was amazing to see this collaboration with Adrian. Put this one your must see list. They are both eye candy and scrumptiously delicious whatever your personal tastes might be! There are just so many treats in this performance! Plus something to take home... unless you have to gobble it up right away!
Company: The Coldharts
Show: Silver Hammer
Venue: CFPA Black Box
Down the Rabbit Hole with Nick... & a bit of Katie
How did any of us survive the last couple of years of the pandemic?!!! Going down the rabbit hole of insanity with Nick and occasional comments attributed to Katie, while they were stuck in Brooklyn, was filled with hysteria, paranoia, fear, dread, comic relief, theater history, conspiracy, truths, lies, unknowns, Russians, CIA, projections... oh, and guitar. Basically, it was a wild night, down the rabbit hole with Nick... and a bit of Katie! It's always a treat and somewhat bizarre to see the Coldharts!
Company: Belville Productions
Show: Cowboy & Widow, A Honkytonk Musical
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Hits & Misses
I enjoyed the surprising relationship between The Cowboy and The Widow. The songs were catchy and fun as accompanied by The Guitarist. Narration by The Trail Boss, aka TB, set the stage and kept things moving from scene to scene. I got a kick out of The Cowboy missing the days of rodeo show business with his co-star, The Buffalo.... The changing relationship between Cowboy and Widow became somewhat tedious and the ending was too abrupt for me.
Company: The Feral Theatre Company
Show: Stranger vs The Malevolent Malignancy
Venue: Theatre in the Round
I COULD RELATE!....as a person with a disability
As a previously very able-bodied person, I could relate to this wonderful story about Stranger, a Superhero, who is suddenly faced with a debilitating illness as well as changes and feelings he does not want to face. As a matter of fact, I used to refer to the post-Traumatic Brain Injury self as The Stranger in the Mirror. Writing and performing this play is a tremendous gift to anyone who has faced cancer or any illness or disability as well as those who care about and for them. Stranger is funny, silly, comical... serious, moving, dramatic.... a range of feelings one may or may not want to explore! I also loved Stranger's super power of hearing his own cancer, because my post injury "super powers" are hearing too much, seeing too much, and feeling too much. Great arrange of other characters who are villainous and supportive! See this show if at all possible!
Company: Doc Woods & Friends
Show: Black Wall Street: Dreamland Theatre
Venue: Augsburg Studio
EXPERIENCE HISTORY, too often not told!
5 STARS! Lulled into a false sense of security, we watched old movie footage with call and response like religious enthusiasm with introductions by various black characters and a white character celebrating a great sense of community!.... And then crisis hits with news of the KKK gathering to deliver their own "justice" to a young black man, who is not guilty of the crime they want to kill him.... We the "movie audience" and the historical community experienced a historic tragedy that will never be forgotten and needs to be taught wherever and however possible. This dramatic play was an immersive opportunity for such knowledge to be shared. Although I was very curious about so many things, including how and from where the video footage was obtained, I didn't ask. The post performance audience discussion included very powerful and moving responses. Thanks to all who made this possible. MEDICAL ALERT: As soon as the old fashion films began and then flashing lights happened, I knew immediately that a severe migraine would be triggered in me, a person with a Traumatic Brain Injury and a Seizure Disorder. A severe migraine was triggered, but I am privileged enough to have medications that can help. A migraine was a small price to pay for such a valuable experience. Thank you.