Sub-Total
2023 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Christopher Stenzel
Company: Clucklesworth Productions
Show: Pearl and Eugene: One Last Shtick
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Great Fun
Well performed, tight script, relatable story, song-and-dance routines...this has it all and is delightful!
Company: What's Next Productions
Show: Pillow Talk
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
A Fringe Twilight Zone Episode
While still a work in progress, I think the piece is coming together fairly well. The shifts between times is clear enough, though the "kids" section pairing with the modern could be made a touch clearer. Given there is available run-time, I think this could get fleshed out into a really solid show. As I was in attendance of the performance where a last-minute fill-in actor was present, it's harder to comment on the cohesiveness of the cast, but they rolled well with the situation.
Company: Kyle B. Dekker
Show: Audacious Ignatius: Lost in Atlantis
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Well Performed Biography of a Kook
Like most in the audience, I was not acquainted with the subject, but the artist made learning about him enjoyable. Those interested in history or unusual characters should give this a go.
Company: Ashen Armor Productions
Show: The Definition of Loss
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Strong Mixed Medium Show
I've little to say that hasn't be said--moving show but with some hard to hear moments. Will likely have a strong resonance with those that have lost close loved ones (not an experience I've had).
Company: Cornucopia Productions
Show: The Place I Return To
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Moving Personal Tale from a Young Artist
Depression and poetry are well acquainted, while my experience with the latter is lacking. That said, I found this to be incredibly moving and well presented. Not the strongest delivery (or at least not what I would have expected given the material), but powerful all the same. I look forward to seeing that the artist does in the future.
Company: Eli Sibley
Show: Born of a Fairy Tale
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Nice Mixed Medium Show
A pleasant mix of story and dance. A bit short, but worth seeing.
Company: Marie Cooney Stories
Show: JONAH & JOANNA... And the Great Big Fish
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
Sorry Sports Fans....
This one was a bit of a miss for me. While it was a cute MN twist on the well known story, it didn't have the polish most of the other storyteller shows I've attended possessed. This would be a good show for those pre-high school.
Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: A Girl Scout’s Guide to Exorcism
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Incredibly Fun
A very well done show from a younger group of performers. Great use of space, excellent hawk prop, and a positive message to boot! Quite possibly my favorite show overall as of my viewing (2nd Thu @ 5:30).
Company: Gnarly Bard Theater Company
Show: Tales from the Fiefdom
Venue: Southern Theater
Fun But Inconsistent
I enjoy musicals and this one was fun, but like other shows I've seen in its space, some performers had a hard time meeting their voice to the volume of the recorded music. Of the three most prominent performers, one was the quietest and another was the most off-key/discordant. Worth a watch, but sit down front if you want to ensure you hear all the words. On the positive, the songs were well written and amusing and I was entertained the entire show.
Company: Goof Goof
Show: 101 Goofin' Things
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Not My Cup of Tea
One of the Fringier shows I've seen this year, it succeeds is doing what it says it will be doing--performers dance to the whims of bingo balls drawn at random and are tasked with absurd action or are hampered in some way for the remainder of the show. That would be fine and could be fun, but the "punishing taskmaster" conceit sucked the wind out of my good mood's sails and the performer was often hard to understand to boot. I enjoyed the show less than my score suggests, but that's my own fault for being unable to embrace the spirit/intent of this show. While it wasn't my cup of tea, it may be yours.
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Company: EnCompass Theatre
Show: Funny, Like an Abortion
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Necessary Message, Good Show
A timely look at an unfortunately all too potential future. A meaningful show with just enough humor to balance the grimness.
Company: Timothy Mooney Repertory Theatre
Show: Breakneck Midsummer Night’s Dream
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Full Play in Half Time
Please read the other reviews for this, as they say what needs saying as well or better than I could. Give this a watch!
Company: Two Minnie Cooks
Show: New Origins: Beauty and the Beast
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Fringe Fun
A clever musical prequel to the story was we know it. A strong Fringe show and worth a watch.
Company: Maximum Verbosity
Show: Too Many Notes
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Storytelling in the Oral Tradition (Show 3)
This review is based on the third show, "The Gray and the Gold", which had a "faerie story told around a campfire" vibe--something that you expect will have a moral or serve as a cautionary and/or instructive tale. I dig on that sort of thing and pabl's delivery was solid. The visuals were a nice add, as was the scoring. I can't recall if I've seen this story performed before or not, but I am familiar with some of pabl's work and am generally fond of it. If you have room in your schedule for future performances, give this a look.
Company: The World Crime League
Show: Uncle Walt
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Fun Premise, Lost Potential
The concept is strong (though there's a bump or two) and Walt is well portrayed, but the staging and other performances didn't hit the same quality level. An entertaining outing but it fell a bit short.
Company: Kurkendaal Barrett Presentations
Show: Climbing my family tree
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
No-Frills Strong Personal Storytelling
I make a point to see Les when I can as there is always a great message to his shows and this was no different. As I saw the last show, recommending it would be fruitless, but I'd encourage those that missed this show to seek out his next one.
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Company: Lady Chamberlain Productions
Show: 4 Bisexuals and 2 Guys Named John Kill Dracula
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
An Absurdly Funny Romp
Certainly one of the funniest Fringe shows I've seen, this retelling of Dracula is full camp. If the artists could do something ridiculous in the scene, there's a good chance they did and that's just what I needed to close out my evening. So much goofy fun!
Company: Phil Gonzales / Raffish Ripoff Productions
Show: Lost In Bear Country: Birth, God, Death... and the Berenstain Bears
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
ADHD Personified
I didn't know what to expect, but what I got was a high-energy, non-stop trip through the whirlwind of thoughts and humor that is Phil Gonzales. I found the content relatable, interesting, and poignant (as the overall message is "be kind"), and I learned more about the Berenstain Bear books than I expected was worth knowing. Shows like this are why I Fringe!
Company: Nightfall Productions
Show: Fargo Allegro
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Delightfully Funny Staging
The title tells you what to expect, a quicker rendition of "Fargo". What it can't tell you is just how much fun you'll have with it! Given that the story will be known to most attendees, the artists have worked to add laughs via staging and doubling-down on the Minnesotan-ness of it all. If you want a good giggle, give this a go.
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Company: Garrison Shea
Show: Allegro
Venue: Southern Theater
Excellent Show on the Power of Music
I wasn't expecting to see a treatise on the importance of scoring, but that's what I got. Great use of comedy throughout out as well, though the show itself is certainly a drama. A wonderful surprise gem worth your time.
Company: Pat O'Brien
Show: "Starved": The Astonishing True Story of the University of Minnesota Starvation Experiment
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Left Me Hungry For More
One might expect a certain amount of lecture in a show about a scientific study, but there was remarkably little of that in this piece. The performers playing the experiment's subjects did a fantastic job portraying the progressive changes the lack of food wrought on them and the scientists did a good job mixing the aloof quest for knowledge with humanity (though less so than their co-stars). An excellent exploration of the moral bounds of scientific inquiry. I certainly appreciated my lunch more after watching this and would certainly recommend!
Company: Ghoulish Delights
Show: 5 Prisoners
Venue: Southern Theater
4 Out of 5 Ain't Bad
As a fan of the writers and actors involved, I had high expectations for this show and they were, for the most part, met. The performances were solid and most of the stories were clear in their intent and the exploration of the varied prisons, physical or otherwise, was thought provoking. Give this a watch!
Company: Found Creature
Show: Two Stars in the Vast Dark
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Sci-Fi Musical...I Dig That
This does what good sci-fi should do--reflect on the human element of technological change and innovation. The staging doesn't feel like it's meant for a round and would likely be better served in a traditional space. I don't think it's a major detraction from the show, though I'd sit where you might think you should based on what you see when you walk in for the best experience.
Company: Thee & Me Productions
Show: Omar Khayyam Club
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
A Mixed Bag
This is the third biography-themed show I've seen this year. One was presented as a tribute and another as an autobiographical interview/conversation. This one was a lecture in the guise of a fan club meeting but also punctuated with a recurring character causing trouble in-universe. While I stand behind the message of the interruptions, I would have killed that darling, as I found it a disruptive B-plot to the A-plot's history lesson. The conceit of the meeting being 100 years in the past wasn't a requirement either, but did allow for some lovely period costumes.
Company: PB (&J) Productions
Show: Mischief in Ink: The School Prank of '03
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Didn't Speak to Me
The inspiration of works like "Mean Girls", "The Breakfast Club", and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" seem clear, and the nostalgia plays alright, but I feel like this wasn't as polished as it could be. The final reveal didn't feel like a surprise but also failed to make much sense in-universe. Didn't hate it, didn't love it.
Company: Chrisdavisdoesstuff
Show: CHRIS DAVIS DOES STUFF
Venue: Strike Theater
Quality Comedic Storytelling
[Review based on Show 2 of "Just Black Enough"] I attended the show based on a friend's endorsement and was not disappointed. The material was solid and I enjoyed (though didn't participate in) the audience participation segment. If you make it out to Strike, be sure to include this show.
Company: Comedy Suitcase
Show: What If We Hugged?
Venue: Strike Theater
Fun Chapters for a Memoir
I attend a fair number of "artist life stories" shows, as there's usually at least of couple of good takeaways for me to consider for my own life. This one was no different and was delivered with the comedy and heart I've come to expect from his work. Well worth your time.
Company: Viet Nguyen
Show: Reincarnation Soup
Venue: Southern Theater
Brilliant
A well performed and paced minimalist solo show speaking to experiences and culture outside my own. Definitely recommended!
Company: musicbyskippy
Show: we can wish: a beatboxing and music variety show
Venue: Augsburg Studio
A Genre-Hopping VH1 Storytellers-esque Experience
A musical journey of personal and professional fears that incorporates its audience (to their own desired level) is a truly daunting task and Skippy does it with ease and genuine kindness. A must-experience!
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Company: Rippling Stories
Show: Against the Odds: Rachel Carson and the Writing of Silent Spring
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Excellent Content But Short on Passion
I like edutainment and got the biographical background on the woman and the book that I was expecting. That said, the delivery was more subdued than expected and my attention wasn't as focused as it was for the other bio show I've seen (Gilda). Perhaps that's a true aspect of the character portrayed that I'm failing to appreciate fully. I recommend the show for the content, but don't expect to be riveted.
Company: Jacob and John Productions
Show: Apocalypse Later: I Love the Smell of Procrastination in the Morning
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Short Show Lacking Energy and Polish
Sketch is hard--ask the cast of SNL '85. It takes a lot of work to make the jokes and performances land and quickly move between scenes. It didn't happen here (Show #2). One of the pair didn't have the frenetic energy of the other, and the lack was a black hole sucking the fun out of the show. Said performer also handled a cigar prop so poorly it took me out of the scene, but I'll admit that might be a person thing. With more quality content, I feel this could be a fairly entertaining show, but as it stands, I'm glad it ran in just over half the allowed time.
Company: Wells Farnham
Show: Wells Is Third On The Waitlist
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Well Delivered but Less than Hoped
I'm not a creator and I don't envy anyone the task, but this one fell a bit flat for me. Perhaps it was too much repetition with minor variation eating the time. Perhaps I just didn't connect with this one like I have with many others. Not a bad show, just not a memorable one either.
Company: Six Elements Theatre
Show: Kill B: The Epilogue
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
A Worthy Epilogue
I don't think I've seen the source material since a year after it hit the DVD market, but you get everything you really need to know in this, admittedly shorter than I'd prefer, outing. While I'll agree with other reviewers statements that the fight choreo was simpler than one might expect from the creators of Combat Chess, I think it served the story well enough and wasn't a deal breaker for me. The returning villains were well portrayed and owned the stage when they were present. Good fun and higher energy than a number of shows I've seen, which helps keep the day moving. Worth a watch.
Company: Paper Soul
Show: NPC! (Non-Player Character)
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Solid Storytelling
Not as polished as last year's outing, but it is another deeply personal show that makes you reflect on your own experiences with fresh eyes. Definitely worth checking out.
Company: Public Displays of Affection
Show: The FalseHood
Venue: Southern Theater
Workshop Show in Need of Work
While I agree with the message (what I heard of it from the second row), this show suffered in its space, though might be well received in a more intimate venue. As previously mentioned, it was frequently hard to hear the performer over the music being played, especially when faced away from the audience. As an advertisement for the glow-in-the-dark tools used, I'd give it a 3, as it did showcase some interesting effects they could create, but even then it was often a mess or unclear in intent. Definitely Fringe, definitely a show in its infancy.
Company: Helena K Cosentino
Show: Gilda: A Tribute to the Beloved Comedienne Gilda Radner
Venue: Southern Theater
An Excellent Tribute Show
A well scripted and performed tribute to a great comedian who left us too soon.
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Company: [Un]Qualified
Show: H.G. Wells' THE INVISIBLE MAN
Venue: Southern Theater
Must See to Believe
The concept of a humorous take on a classic story of hubris intrigued me, but I had my doubts. These performers made it work beyond anything I might have expected. Previous experience with the story is in no way a necessity, as the show hits all the core beats of the source material while making it a laugh riot. Put this on your schedule!
Company: Rogues Gallery Arts
Show: My Only Hope for a Hero
Venue: Southern Theater
Personal Exploratory Storytelling at its Best
Shows about personal experience are often moving but can also be a bit of a drag. While there are certainly moments where one might need a tissue or three, Duck's energy and humor lift this piece beyond its life lessons. A must see!
Company: Monster Science Productions
Show: Monster Science's Greatest Hits
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Quality Edutainment
Rev. Matt's Monster Science is a show that I make sure to see as often as possible! Not only are there great jokes and humorous slides, but you get to learn more about monsters and extinct beasts. What's not to love?
Company: Mermaid Productions
Show: The Very Model of a Modern Monster Scientist
Venue: Augsburg Studio
The Backstory We All Deserved
As a long-time fan of Rev. Matt's Monster Science, I was thrilled when he took on an assistant a couple Fringe's back. Now we have the origin story, and who doesn't love a good origin story! Definitely put this on your calendar.
Company: Fortune’s Fool Theatre
Show: The Resilient Child
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Quality Touching Stories
I'm generally a fan of personal storytelling, so this was in my wheelhouse. The youths played a smaller part than I was expecting, but it was no less moving for that. I recommend this show, particularly for parents.
Company: Blinking Eye Theatre
Show: Romeo & Juliet Are Dead
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
As Advertised
A delightful two-person show that explores the reality of a relationship of two kids as the truly come to know each other beyond the introductory mask of teenage crush.