Sub-Total
2023 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Luke Harbur
Company: Destiny Davison
Show: DOLLY WHO?
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Bravo to this “I know me” artist!
This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: there is nothing more comforting and charming than watching a show dedicated to the joy and confidence surrounding who you are and what you can bring to the table (and in case, the canvas). In three sentences: if you enjoy the movie Napoleon Dynamite, comedian Dmitri Martin, the musical “Oh Hello,” and/or the TV show Mister Rogers Neighborhood, this show is a perfect fit. As a consumer of all four, my palate for entertainment and authenticity was satiated, as you witness a first-time solo show Fringer that won over support across many generations with her playful designs and quirky personality. I look forward to the day when watching her future work, knowing she’s become a cultural staple as DOLLY and helped inspire next generations to give things a try and simply be themselves.
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Company: EnCompass Theatre
Show: Funny, Like an Abortion
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
A powerful story missing its impact
This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: a steady, fast-paced tempo in script pacing made for an exhausting experience on a bravely and creatively told social justice topic. In three sentences: social justice theatre always deserves a place on stage, helping people unite or challenge narratives of what people know and don’t know about taboo issues. The two Fringers seemed to emphasize pace and information sharing over listening to each other as re-enactors, causing me to often struggle to listen points being made in both fiction and non-fiction realms created. But this show has fairly informative notes, most worthy at the end to address what we really need to progress to so we can be called one day actually be known as “United States of America."
Company: Paper Soul
Show: NPC! (Non-Player Character)
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Funny, frazzled storytime
This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: through a gamer and meta theatre doorway you’re welcomed into vibrant, pressed-for-time stories told by this Fringer. In three sentences: well played empathy and shock drive the fireside tales given by this Fringer, addressing how it’s almost impossible to follow up his 2022 hit Fringe show with this year’s. His bravery lands but the hurried nature of his story time deliveries made for what looked like a lack of internal confidence at times, taking me out of some expositions. To sign up for an unexpected hero’s journey, this is worth a watch!
Company: Spektakular Theatre
Show: A Jingle Jangle Morning
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
A fun world lacking motives
This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: children seemed to enjoy the visuals built for them, but seeing many of those same kiddos shifty throughout the performance suggests folks leave without deep lessons learned.In three sentences: the environments built for this sweet tale are fantastical with plenty of props and sounds, giving a great plate of playfulness. But even children’s theatre can put on a Pixar effect, and frequent entrances of later explained characters plus little character relationship development made for a tough sit at times. I hope the show furthers its growth, as it deserves to be a tale to remember.
Company: Berlin Productions
Show: Kill Me, Too
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Words recited from broken hopes
This is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: theaters should have stages to discuss extreme controversy through art, but that fails fast when done solo and not pushing hard enough satire or seriousness, ignoring the chance to debate, illustrate, and explore touchy subjects properly. In three sentences: this 35-minute John Wayne-police-noir-music-and-preacher-touring-cowboy monologue tanked in its effort to bring voice to the macho fragility of #MeToo movement haters. This seemed to boil down to the Fringer who desperately needed a cast, a script, a director, a set, and a band to pull their vision to a story that could be summarized and digestible for their attending audiences. 0 kitties to .5 kitties merit no show created or a show with mumbled and constantly forgetful re-enactors, so hopefully 1 kitty teaches the lesson of folks coming to theaters to be challenged in some way, not listen to a half-scripted, half-improvised sermon.
Company: SECRET CULT
Show: OPERA PUNKS
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Living room comedy
This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: a great show if you’re looking to see some, not all, cast mates be fun music listeners and responders. In three sentences: musical improv, let alone an opera format, is immensely difficult in practice when considering the “yes and-“ to come from singers and a multi-talented instrumentalist. You’re signing up for an hour of single prompt music where some cast mates are listeners, and some can’t seem to help but be the star of the show. But this is great for you if you’re seeking some fleeting, silly laughter.
Company: THEATRE23
Show: Coyfish
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Poignant story needing direction
This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: The robotic nature of this script and direction sadly undercuts the emotional complexes of an important, usually unheard topic in queer and Asian communities. In three sentences: similar to the paired gentle guitar and monologue phone call opening this show, the cultures represented on stage remain hard to hear. A director emphasizing pace would help the Fringers bring out what felt like held back talent, giving me personal hope to see a show like this evolve into the statement it’s trying to say. I do recommend this to folks looking to hear a story more common than they know, as it’s one frequently cast to the shadows.
Company: Phoenix Theater
Show: Phoenix Presents
Venue: Phoenix Theater
A Fascinating, Sprinting History Lesson (Horse)
This from seeing show #4. In one sentence: through an impressively athletic narrative this Fringer gives you a lot about horse killing, a lot, in only an hour. In three sentences: if you're into watching movies, tv shows, or any other creative works with a lot of details to keep in mind, this show is for you. A handful of times I found myself trying to take a deep breath, struggling to keep up with the spliced history and asking my why I was being educated about so many people, in such detail, in such a short amount of time. I will not give anything away, but the athleticism and most song-and-dance from this Fringer is worth viewing, begging the question of "how did he just keep up with all that?" by the show's end.
Company: Rogues Gallery Arts
Show: My Only Hope for a Hero
Venue: Southern Theater
Know thy self: a perfect lecture
This review is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: this is one of the most natural sounding compilations of personal live non-fictional storytelling with tonal shifts requiring a master performer to deliver. In three sentences: how do you view a hero? Are you a participant or observer? This is required Fringe viewing, as Duck Washington uses a brilliant combination of illustrative humor and vulnerable outpours, instilling bravery in audiences like no one's every felt before.
Company: Jackdonkey Productions
Show: Dock Work
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Commentary trumps interpretation
This is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: the punk aesthetic felt fizzled among this rocking-rebellion-movement piece when unionization seemed to be the theme to hit home across all presented disciplines. In three sentences: sometimes counter culture rises, sometimes it falls. This one couldn’t quite rally its workers, as if the spotlight always shined on one of the disciplines over the other. However it’s a show who has segments worth the giggles and grimaces it creates, moments that may be worth your viewing.
Company: Sandbox Theatre
Show: Yes No Maybe (please explain)
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
A overwhelming attempt at 90s angst
This review is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: I wanted to be NSYNC with this nostalgic, experimental love story, but too many moving parts lead to too many missed messages (yes missed, not mixed). In three sentences: love comes in many forms, but should that happen with live orchestration, a projector with a camcorder, action figures, singing, monologues, and letters, all at once? A difficult cacophony to merge into coherency for almost any artist, though an admirable attempt at something new. The possibilities for this show’s roots are rich, but its soil must be tilled and its water refreshed to grow.
Company: PB (&J) Productions
Show: Mischief in Ink: The School Prank of '03
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Every 2000s show on Disney Channel
This review is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: you are hoping to see the scriptwriter’s nailed writing assignment come to life, but most casted Fringers didn’t ham up their archetypes. In three sentences: if you’re going to lean into the copy and paste era of kid dramedies from 2000s Disney Channel, a satire & fast-focused director was needed to step in on this one. Everything presented is what you’ve seen and heard before, so you’ll find that comforting or uninteresting. However, a clear memory is being pleased by the timely references of the script versus the very safe choices made by its re-enactors.
Company: an alleged Theatre Company
Show: A Swimming Lesson in a Theatre Without a Lifeguard
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Best directing and scriptwriting, but . . .
This review is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: A cast similar to 2009’s “The Hangover” creates a world of fantastic bits, making two dimensional characters come to life through three dimensional backstories. In three sentences: you’re about to experience a trio whose rapport is almost impossible to replicate without deep connections offstage, letting the comedic timing and natural chemistry among these characters shine. My gut feeling . . . something is missing, most likely some writing addressing how the three of them came together to be swim instructors in the first place. But let yourself dive into the deep end of this goofy adventure, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
Company: Monster Science Productions
Show: Monster Science's Greatest Hits
Venue: Augsburg Studio
New Yorker Magazine's edutainment
This review is from seeing show/greatest hit lecture #4 of 5 featuring comedic absurdism commentary primarily surrounding Norse mythology. In one sentence: fantasy-enthused humor for mostly fantasy-enthused people. In three sentences: this strictly reading-from-a-book Reverend has found a really engaged audience of monster-loving, lore-leaning, smart-comedy pupils. As someone who has been exposed to a lot of the featured content and took away a handful of interesting modern-day origin stories, my rating stayed stagnant due to the Fringer's frequently asking for proper pronunciations of names from a single audience member and, at times, I felt a bit talked down to un-ironically due to not understanding some of the hyper-specific content. Nonetheless, this Fringer has turned a hobby into a classroom, passing down a fun dictionary of knowledge in a lecture series requiring meticulous attention to detail.
Company: Juliana Frick
Show: FLOAT
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
A psycho-meta-marvel.
This review is from seeing show #3. In one sentence: through no-waste comedy and drama, even you couldn’t figure out how to float when life feels like an ever-lasting strain. In three sentences: psycho thriller and/or meta-theatre fans, this is required Fringe attendance. This two Fringer team dominates decision making and pace at an expert level, pouring your mind into the type of chamber the show title boasts. No matter how high or low the plot’s tide, get ready to try and float.
Company: Noah Gundermann
Show: Write Me Letters
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
A sweet, therapeutic soundtrack
This is from seeing show#3. In one sentence: A predictable yet overall pleasant play out of a grandson learning about his grandma. In three sentences: you have to go see this show if you connect positively with identifying as a grandchild or grandparent. Due to the show’s trying-to-say-too-much lyricsism and the cast falling a little short from reaching any “wow” moments, the story may not touch on too many universal themes for some to relate to. But as someone who has a 91 year old granny that they love, I needed this show more than I can write in three sentences, so please keep workshopping this as many people need this story more than they know.
Company: Hercules Theatre Company
Show: Adaptopus
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Octopus clickbait
This review is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: a literal mixed story with a couple moments of silliness and seriousness. In three sentences: I got a few chuckles from this hour long show. Outside of two or three Fringers playing their assigned archetypes well, this show needed to develop either, not both, of the focuses it markets. The choice to see is yours, but unless you might have served part-time on a political campaign, I'm not sure you’ll leave satisfied.
Company: Helena K Cosentino
Show: Gilda: A Tribute to the Beloved Comedienne Gilda Radner
Venue: Southern Theater
Because of this Fringer, I want to befriend Gilda!
This review is from seeing show #3. In one sentence: who knew a stellar bioplay could have tasteful obsession and joyous impression galore? In three sentences: you have to see this show if you have even an inclining of who celebrity Gilda Radner was. If you didn’t but have an appreciation for the show Saturday Night Live, you’re in for a treat of giggles and sorrows found in the chapters and comedy sketches from Radner’s life. Lovers of solo artists, this is required viewing!
Company: Jamie Campbell Creative
Show: Big Dad Energy
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
You get the title you signed up for.
This review is from seeing show #2. In one sentence: although a couple scripted moments of more intimate reflection felt out of place from the comedic style, come meet a not-dad dad that you’ll probably love. In three sentences: this Fringer cracks open a cold one from the get-go, inviting you to a backyard barbecue-like banter about life and how it’s okay for it to go in ways you don’t expect. Just a couple moments I felt removed from the narrative, unsure if my trust was earned with the deeper, reflective thoughts next to the Fringer’s semi-surface level comedic style. But being a dad is complicated and this show adds up to a beautiful example of self-awareness prowess.
Company: Rebecca Wickert and Ella Eastman-Kiesow
Show: BRUTUS
Venue: Theatre in the Round
A visual spectacle, lop-sided auditorily
This review is from seeing show #3. In one sentence: In a cacophony of lights, sound, and classic prose, you’re either intrigued or unsure of this A24-style production. In three sentences: The entrances of great dance, great fight choreography, and fairly good experimental music with chopped vocal samples move this plot with powerful surges of energy. But when we’re left with solo and ensemble dialogue, all seemed to slow down a tinge too much. If you want to see what could be considered old-age scriptwriting get a fresh lens and a few gusty risks, go give this a watch.
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Company: Lady Chamberlain Productions
Show: 4 Bisexuals and 2 Guys Named John Kill Dracula
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
serving comedy gold on a silver plot line
This review is from seeing show #3. In one sentence: This show's comedic timing and directing flexes big muscles, but core character relationships frequently felt written as secondary. In three sentences: If you’re a Millennial looking to laugh at some tightly written bits and quips, please put this on your Fringe schedule. If some more of the thinly written Plot B relationships were removed, then more of the show’s goofy, absurdist humor could shine bright. If you really want to see 4 bisexuals and 2 guys named John kill Dracula, I guarantee you can’t guess how.
Company: Michael Shaeffer
Show: Everything Bagel
Venue: Strike Theater
I laughed, I marveled, I felt every word
This review is from seeing show #2. In one sentence: this is 50 minutes of your really cool uncle telling you tales that sparkle while toeing taboo lines to teach you greater lessons. In three sentences: if you appreciate a wide breadth of pop culture, expert word-smithing, and watching a performance where a Fringer is super comfortable in their own skin, this show is for you. The few times music was used as background to pair with the poetry featured, it sometimes distracted from the messaging being shared. Yet that sprinkle for improvement does not supersede the crafty, taste-filled, charismatic performance display you'll receive from this Fringer, a veteran poet that all writing pupils should learn from.
Company: Ghoulish Delights
Show: 5 Prisoners
Venue: Southern Theater
A poor script with mostly subpar acting
This is from seeing show #2. In one sentence: one of five Fringers holds down the fort of this marginal prose collection of what prison could look or feel like. In three sentences: The first of five vignettes set my heart ablaze, hooking my interest on how a prison could be seen in a physical or metaphorical medium. Then that hopeful candle dimmed and dimmed and dimmed, with an attempted "Twilight Zone" sci-fi writing style that might translate well to screen but frequently felt disjointed and awkward on stage. I am not sure who this show is truly meant for in its entirety, so I am not sure what kind of person I recommend this show to.
Company: Paco Erhard
Show: 5-Step Guide to Being German
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Though a bit soft & over time, ganz gut
This review is from seeing show #2. In one sentence: the Fringer educates all with a remarkable worldview, but the humor lands for some and not others (myself included). In three sentences: although I felt somewhat deceived by the marketing/advertising of this show's supposed popularity, I felt like I watched a passionate professor give an enthusiastic class on the history and culture of a country I knew a bit about already, making it a fairly pleasant experience. When the Fringer touched on his culture, the fruits were mostly low-hanging; when the Fringer touched on other cultures, the fruits felt like only a slightly higher grab. But if you know nothing about Germany and/or you are looking for a nice light-hearted escape in an intense Fringe schedule, this show is probably right for you.
Company: Blinking Eye Theatre
Show: Romeo & Juliet Are Dead
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
An underdog show embodies a Great Dane
This review is from seeing show #2. In one sentence: you start with the characters you know and end with people you have been waiting to meet since your first exposures to Shakespeare. In three sentences: any show taking on reinterpretation and addition to classic works is a risk, but this small and mighty team delivers a production that you wished you saw in your youth, keeping you engaged to Shakespeare’s historic reputation. Directorial marks were seamlessly hit, laughs never cheaply came from the audience, and the featured old-age and new-age English language sewed together like a quilt you could wrap yourself in to further empathize with the cold reality bestowed on stage. This is required Fringe attendance because one day, quite honestly, it could make a Shakespeare Festival debuts.
Company: Kurkendaal Barrett Presentations
Show: Climbing my family tree
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Brief stumbles, overall successful adult storytime
This review is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: despite a few rushed transitions, reciting stumbles, and a bit of an awkward graphic format, this show inspires you enough to dig into the nuances of your own past and not judge in the present. In three sentences: Witness an all-natural, no frills rendition of what it might look like to find both fun and unexpected plot twists in your ancestry. At times I wanted quite a few moments to offer a beat or two to let the information soak in, but the show’s tempo keeps a bit of a rushed pace. Alas, the show may be worth a watch to embrace an authentic, witty Fringer with plenty to offer to most attendees.
Company: Viet Nguyen
Show: Reincarnation Soup
Venue: Southern Theater
Phenomenal script, excellent storyteller
This review is from seeing show #3. In one sentence: Rarely do you witness an acting-only solo show filled with such gusto, honesty, and prose without apology. In three sentences: This production puts a minimalist, creative spin on visiting culture-based vignettes illustrating what happens before reincarnation. The scriptwriting is some of the best I’ve heard in years, but the Fringer’s acting sits barely below that quality, at times taking you out of the anecdotes being shared. However, this is a must see to experience a prime example of not needing much to gain long-lasting, timeless perspectives.
Company: Fortune’s Fool Theatre
Show: The Resilient Child
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
A great vision, but a shaky execution.
This review is for show #2. In one sentence: although a bit of a rocky start and an overall performance format that felt hard to engage with at times, this collection of diary-like monologues stand as touching, powerful testaments about finding resilience in difficult situations. In three sentences: if you're in a place in life where you're struggling to get through something, this show will be medicine for your mind. At times I felt uncomfortable . . . maybe because some of the cast looked and sounded like they were forced into this deeply personal project, while others seemed like the project's drivers whose content seemed to land on steady footing most of the time. The choice is yours whether you do or don't see this one, as it's for some but not for others.
Company: Ashen Armor Productions
Show: The Definition of Loss
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Maybe I'm not seeing what other audiences see
This is from seeing show #1. In one sentence: this show forces comedy, expresses tragedy in a cacophony of mediums, and hopes you know what to take away by the show’s end. In three sentence: I feel like I watched a show with a strong artistic mission but was unsure of the direction it wanted to express itself. When the dancing and character relationship reveals were happening, I was hooked . . . but when the monologues came with many spoonfuls of silence, too frequently quiet deliveries, and missed comedic script timing to ease the show's intense topic, I felt disconnected. But this show has golden moments, and I'm sure it will find more well-paced, bolder risks as it plays throughout the festival.
Company: Shelter Repertory Dance Theatre
Show: Doline: Emerging into the Light
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
For a rare dance form, you must see this
This is from seeing show #1. In one sentence: watch a movement-based storyteller share poetic choreography, tastefully shifting it into a script with a little too much repetition but then turned into a superbly told memoir. In three sentences: this one person show holds like the performer’s beginning position : a little stiff, a little awkward, yet mesmerizing given the slow motion movement. A show for folks to see the importance of moving on and not moving on as you age, you must walk into this show with an open mind ready to sit in some confusion and resolve mostly all of it by the end. The choice to see is yours . . . but if you want to slow down and see a rare form of dance work, it’s worth the watch.
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Company: Garrison Shea
Show: Allegro
Venue: Southern Theater
Attend for an audio/visual spectacle
This review is from seeing show #1. In one sentence: - a wonderful example of experimental theatre, this original story of a composer matches the show genre: through a bold medium it mostly works and a handful of times it doesn’t. In three sentences: through the exploration of live music scoring paired with sharp sound and lighting design, the audience sometimes feels involved and dissolved by the story being told. Some character relationships and climatic points needed some directorial guidance and the early 2000s inner monologue motif sometimes felt wearing. However the script and story body will continue improving and it's a show worth attending due to being something you've probably never seen before.
Company: Maximum Verbosity
Show: Too Many Notes
Venue: Augsburg Studio
You have to embrace what you're about to watch
This review is from seeing show #1 of 5, "Get Thee Behind Me, Santa: An Inexcusably Filthy Children’s Time Travel Farce For Adults Only." In one sentence: in this relatively impressive marathon reading of an original novel by the Fringer, a combo of drugs, intellect of religion and spirituality, and non-sequitur creativity leave you mentally mushy and a little awestruck at what you witnessed. In three sentences: this show won't let you sit back and relax. Made for people with a very high intellect and open to tripping on acid, you can’t help but marvel at how this project completes itself. At the same time you are witnessing a Fringer with two decades of Fringe dedication, a rarely seen form of discipline.
Company: Timothy Mooney Repertory Theatre
Show: Breakneck Midsummer Night’s Dream
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
This is how to keep Shakespeare alive and well!
This review is from seeing show #2. In one sentence: for this goofy Shakespeare tale, Mooney's aid with a fairly prolific cast enriched the credibility of his name and life's work. In three sentences: from seeing one of Mooney's solo Breakneck shows to witnessing what seemed to be a debut of a cast alongside him, this was an impressive, punchy, fun version of summarizing Midsummer Night's Dream. Though the show's slight overtime was forgivable, one or two scenes felt like they could be cut due to a message/theme already being well-delivered by the featured cast members. However pay most attention to the cast's playfulness and Mooney's own element . . . you leave knowing you've witnessed the gift of classic works being told by a great batch of solid actors.
Company: Phina Pipia
Show: Ha Ha Da Vinci
Venue: Southern Theater
Solo artists, this show sets a platinum standard
This review is from seeing show #2. In one sentence: this show illustrates what every artist dares to immerse audiences in: mystery, charm, and magic. In three sentences: there were no wasted moments nor mechanics in one of the most original, charming shows I've seen in years. Only once or twice did I leave the world being presented, not quite jumping on board with the folk songs. But to see so many talents and tricks from one person left me awestruck . . . this is a Fringe must, if not a requirement, for those looking for the power of live theatre.
Company: Six Elements Theatre
Show: Kill B: The Epilogue
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Maybe I'm slicing too hard and missed too much.
This is from seeing show #1. In one sentence: watch a stage combat class try recreating one of Tarantino’s action movie master pieces. In three sentences: I would not recommend attending this show if you haven’t seen the Kill Bill series and if you haven't watched it recently. I haven't seen it recently . . . but even from my "ah ha" moments, I couldn't unsee beginner to mid-level combat students putting on a show to capitalize on a brand name, trying to tap into the series’ nostalgia and relatability but frequently missing the mark other than a handful of times. As the Fringe continues the show deserves its four other chances for improvement, as the foundation of the work feels strong and can only grow.
Company: ThickWater
Show: The Duet
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
You're likely signing up for a Hallmark TV movie
This review is from seeing show #1. In one sentence: if you like Hallmark TV movies and country music, you most likely will enjoy this story about trying to find passion after artistic burn out. In three sentences: if Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks teamed up and made a TV movie, this show is that, offering a predictable yet solid script and storyline. The female lead was stronger than the male lead, both have a strong desire and slightly miss having a country twang, and when I predicted the next moments to happen, they did 90% of the time. But if you want an overall feel good plot line, this show could be a nice break among an intense Fringe schedule.