2023 Audience Reviews

Company: Destiny Davison
Show: DOLLY WHO?
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental

Wonderful Human Puts on a Wonderful Solo Show

I was at preview night and was delighted by the preview for DOLLY WHO?, which made it a must see on my list of shows for Fringe 2023. Destiny opens with a dance number that is charismatic and funny, but this is NOT a dance show. Their cartoon characters are silly and witty in a way that reminds me of cartoons like Adventure Time (one of the cartoons not mentioned by Destiny, though many are referenced!) Each show is unique in that added to the cast of cartoon characters is one that Destiny makes up based on audience suggestions and draws on the spot! At the performance I attended, we ended up with a character that I think should have been named "Bahn Mi in a Bucket Hat" because I find alliteration hilarious. Destiny named him Dell, and I respect the artistic decision to give him a proper name. I also had a favorite character who I won't spoil by mentioning in my review. Highly recommend to anyone and everyone attending Fringe this year!

Company: Allison Broeren
Show: Fire in My Veins: Blazing through Life with Invisible Illness
Venue: Strike Theater

Representation, Validation, and Beautiful Spoons

If you are low on spoons and can only make it to one show this Fringe, make sure it’s this one! Fire In My Veins made me feel so seen as a chronically ill, disabled individual. I absolutely cackled at the parts that were incredibly relatable, I cried listening to Allison talk about experiences that reflected my own (experiences often overlooked by society), and I loved her description of the "before" and "after" of being chronically ill. Allison’s awareness of the impact her show has on her peers was evident, as she was waiting for me and my tears at the end of the show with two big hugs. Her consideration in seeking my consent before giving me those hugs was another hug in itself. I felt so validated by her bravery in discussing the unique experience of those of us who were already chronically ill before the onset of the COVID pandemic. Within our community, there was a lot of bitterness and trauma brought up by the way that the nondisabled suddenly made the world accessible in ways that had been advocated for in the past, and witnessing the regression over the past two years to make it inaccessible again redoubled those feelings. I appreciate the discomfort felt by nondisabled audience members upon hearing Allison speak our truth. For many of us with chronic illness, the COVID pandemic simply exposed the rest of the world to the way we always live. I encourage those who feel offended to reflect on the value of hearing our experiences voiced. I encourage you to consider the fact that chronically ill and disabled audience members rejoice at hearing her voice our experience, and to consider what it would be like if the conditions of the pandemic never stopped. That is the point. That is why Alison includes it, and I hope you can use that discomfort to grow in your intersectional understanding of marginalized communities.

Company: Elizabeth Young
Show: Betsy Show
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre

Unpacking 'The Betsy Show': Trauma & Implications

While 'The Betsy Show' delved delightfully into the complexities of trauma and alcoholism, there was a part of the performance that deeply unsettled me as a disabled individual. Betsy recounted her interaction with a woman named Margot, and Betsy's trauma stemming from this encounter is undoubtedly valid. However, the description of Margot was dehumanizing. It's understandable that 'The Betsy Show' aimed to convey Betsy's perspective and the emotions tied to her traumatic encounter, but the focus on Margot's bodily functions and her limited ability to communicate were recognizably ableist and jarring for this audience member. In narratives like Betsy’s, the way marginalized individuals are presented can unintentionally perpetuate stigmatization. The offense of this portion of Betsy’s story emphasized the importance of responsible storytelling, even within the context of personal traumas. However, amidst this critique, it's important to acknowledge the show's potential. Betsy is a joy to watch with a fantastic story to tell. A final thought: The use of coasters as a symbolic representation, placed on tables filled with postcards, was indeed a brilliant touch – a subtle yet poignant nod to the theme of alcoholism.

Company: Juliana Frick
Show: FLOAT
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage

Navigating Grief with Nerven

I was captivated by the performance of "FLOAT," which depicted the journey of insolent Myra, expertly brought to life by the remarkable actor Juliana Frick. Frick's mastery of facial expressions and body language breathed authenticity into Myra's character, making her flaws vivid and at the same time, our compassion for her as an audience unquestionable. Frick had an uncanny ability to break the fourth wall and intertwine herself with the audience, creating an immersive experience that was both uproariously humorous and audaciously outlandish. I attended the Wednesday night performance and cannot imagine how incredible her energy will be with a full audience! A noteworthy aspect of the show was the ingenious use of the narrator as one of Myra's main props. This creative dynamic saw the narrator seamlessly transforming into various objects, such as a set of drawers in the kitchen, effortlessly weaving together the interactions between the characters. This synergy between Myra and the narrator added delightful amusement to the performance. Embedded within the narrative was the profound theme of grief, explored in a way that was at times relatable, and then mesmerizing when Frick used body movement to portray experiences without words. The portrayal of Myra's attempts to find joy, which are initially lighthearted but take a turn, resonated deeply with my own experience of grief. The show's culmination can only be described as outrageous, in the very best sense. As someone who has grappled with complex grief, I found the portrayal refreshingly accurate and validating. Finally, it must be said that witnessing a Deaf and chronically ill performer like Juliana Frick command the stage was exhilarating. Being personally hard of hearing and chronically ill, I was elated to see such representation and excellence on display. "Float" is an unforgettable highlight of the Minnesota 2023 Fringe festival.