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2023 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Heather-Grace Bach
Company: Wet Splat Productions
Show: 20,000 Leagues Under the Telltale Heart
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Clearly an Audience Made up of Friends
It was fine. The first two scenes felt scripted and from then on the improv was fine. This group had clearly worked with each other for a while and plays off of each other very well. The only thing I found funny was the the situational comedy built from leaning into Hans’ character. That actor made a choice and stuck with it. But I don’t get what they did with the literary authors or why that theme was there in the first place. They should have leaned into portraying the authors like real life more or just went with a new theme. If not for the audience being made up of friends, I don’t think anyone would have laughed more than thrice.
Company: Six Elements Theatre
Show: Kill B: The Epilogue
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
I Agree with Luke Harbur
I was going to write my own review but everything Luke wrote sums up my thoughts. I admit I was entertained, but did not need to pay $19.
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Company: Garrison Shea
Show: Allegro
Venue: Southern Theater
Good Concept, the Execution Needs Work
I did like the concept of the show. I feel like it has good bones but needs better execution. I walked into the show very intrigued and wanted to like it due to the description, but it just wasn’t well done. Having so much voiceover really took me away from the show. I presume I understand why they made that choice - timing and volume with the pre-recorded soundtrack - but I felt like I was watching actors mime onstage because they didn’t know what else to be doing, and they looked uncomfortable just trying to fill space. I would have much rather watched them act. It also wasn’t clear if the voiceover was purely the main characters inner thoughts. Conceptually it seemed like that was the case, but in reality I feel like half of what was considered the thoughts could have been spoken dialogue, and some of what was spoken seemed like the character’s thoughts. Also not a fan of the portrayal of the girlfriend. I get that we are watching an unreliable narrator, but the details of how long she’d been around were messy. Throughout the entire show, the writing - not just the main character’s lens - played her up to being a bitch. *spoiler here* The fact that she demanded priority when the main character’s dad could be dying was treated as valid. Neither character’s actions were appropriate but I felt like that was never properly discussed. Then her flaws were resolved with a heartfelt song? Also what happened to the big time producer? Had some unforgivable plot points. I didn’t really follow any of the “comedy,” seemed like they were counting on the throw away one-liners like “hungwy” to pull all the laughs: and with an audience full of friends it did. But anyone that was not a friend wasn’t found scoffing. It needs more rewrites. The producer said it was their first time writing, directing, etc and it showed. I’d still say it’s a worthwhile addition to the fringe because of the creativity of the concept. I’m excited to see what the author brings to future fringes with more experience.
Company: Blinking Eye Theatre
Show: Romeo & Juliet Are Dead
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
10/10 Will See Again
This is such a fun show! R&G Are Dead meets No Exit. I Iove this take on the classic, it is expertly written - seamlessly slipping in and out of prose and verse. Romeo is overly flowery to a fault. Juliet juxtaposes Romeo as the grounding comedic force. The show brings reality to these characters and asks the teenagers, in death, to quickly grow up and face their decisions hastily made in life. I loved the use of the bard’s original text and the twisted way the characters interpreted it. It was very honest in the way two teenagers grappled with falling in love for the first time, and how their reality did not meet their expectations. Similarly to R&G Are Dead, it’s a comedy born from the Shakespearean tragedy. R&J Are Dead doesn’t read like a one act written for fringe, it feels like a fully fledged show I expect to see at a professional regional theatre. Excellent actors (and hand - can’t leave out the hand!) bringing this piece to you. I was engaged the entire time. Come for the story, stay for the comedic timing, enjoy the clever use of props (chalk, anyone?), and leave laughing.
Company: Ashen Armor Productions
Show: The Definition of Loss
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
A Must See - The Best of Fringe
You HAVE. To See. This. Show. **Disclaimer - this is a long review, but bear with me.** It is so very poignant. My thoughts cannot help but return to it days later. As it marinates in my mind, I find that I am even more drawn to it and can more eloquently describe the experience (I was so moved after the performance that all my words were incoherent). I don’t usually write reviews, but The Definition of Loss merits one. Needless to say, I will be seeing it again. Grief is so universal yet so personal. Ash has expertly shown the audience what their own personal journey with grief has looked like, and in doing so, has created a masterpiece where the individual audience member can feel seen in their own experiences. I commemorate the author’s authenticity and not shying away, for diving headfirst, deep into this topic. Although it’s a heavy subject matter, it’s necessary. Yet the artists keep the audience from drowning in mourning with excellently timed comedy spattered throughout the show. Some times it is a dark humor that you can’t help but cackle at, some times it is a perfect reprieve from the sorrow, some times it is just plain delightful. The artist used many mediums which blended together seamlessly, but what stood out what the use of movement/dance in a play. I’ve seen many shows that have tried to used movement, but it ended up being distracting or unsuccessful. This is the first play I’ve seen where the blend of dance is natural, adds to the story, and accurately shows the audience what cannot be expressed in words. If you’re looking for a cute, straightforward little story, this is not the show for you. It is abstract and I don’t think there is any other way to accurately convey one’s feelings of loss. Because grief and the experience of loss are abstract. The house doesn’t lend itself well to theatre as many of the seats are on the same level. Even though the stage is raised, grab a seat where you can see the entirety of the stage clearly. There are lots of small details which add to the complexity that I know you would hate to miss. All of the acting and dancing is exceptional. This is a great show inside and out with very talented artists bringing it to you. Bring tissues, an open mind, and expect catharsis.