Sub-Total
2023 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Jeanette Chalgren
Company: Mike Fotis Productions
Show: The Windblown Cheeks Of Lovers
Venue: Strike Theater
Really Cool Staging and Character Work
I loved the camera work and how they had the stage set up. And the way they distinguished characters with the props was really clever. These are all well-known artists here locally and I laughed as hard as I knew I would. It was ridiculous in all the best ways. And the popping back and forth of characters was both hilarious and impressive. I though for sure from the name that there would be at least one fart joke in there (a la Daytona Winds if you're a Drag Race fan) and I was surprised there wasn't. My only complaint is that the music was really loud and the laughter was really loud and I couldn't hear some of the lines. Also seeing this show gave me this actual sentence I said to my fiance - "I met your boss today. He had a line about wanting to have his nipples on Rita's ass."
Company: Wells Farnham
Show: Wells Is Third On The Waitlist
Venue: Augsburg Studio
A Fringe Show about Making a Fringe Show
I am familiar with the wait list and familiar with being a "doer" as Wells calls the artists. I laughed a lot, although some of the jokes started to wear on me as they came back around. There were some great peaks, and a few valleys, but overall I liked it.
Company: Two Minnie Cooks
Show: New Origins: Beauty and the Beast
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Fun Re-telling of a Classic
I thought it was a fun prequel to one of the most well known fairy tales, although like other, I did have some questions about how everything played out compared to the actual story. I liked the costumes, props, and set, and the live music (although one of the songs' chords sounded like Jack Black's Peaches song from Mario Bros and I couldn't get that out of my head). The acting by Gaston and the Prince was especially great - you could really see the switch. I hope to see a longer version of this someday!
Company: Jamie Campbell Creative
Show: Big Dad Energy
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Comedy, Storytelling, and Rap
Funny on all three fronts. I wish my dad was this cool and accepting. But Jamie said he's proud of me!
Company: Team Rand-McKay
Show: Works in Progress
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Great Acting
The acting was really good. It was especially great to see Natalie's Aurora when so many of us know she is nothing like that character. I don't know how well they actually portrayed the specific traits as in my experience, narcissists tend to be more likeable (which is how they do their manipulation) and as others have mentioned the HIPAA rule-breaking was so far off from how it would go down in real life. But I can suspend my disbelief to enjoy the story. I especially liked the twists at the end.
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Company: Garrison Shea
Show: Allegro
Venue: Southern Theater
Cool Concept
I really enjoyed the story - it was something that I had never heard before. Truly unique. I saw the last show and the timing of the sound cues was spot on. I'd love to see it built into a bit longer of a show - I think it would help resolve some of the quirks that others have mentioned with the plot. But I really enjoyed it!
Company: Paco Erhard
Show: 5-Step Guide to Being German
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Comedy
It was very funny - I think the German influence on Minnesotans was made all the more obvious with this show.
Company: Alchemy Arts
Show: When You Hear the Chime
Venue: Southern Theater
Childlike Whimsy
I have seen a few of Nichole Carey's shows before, but none quite like this. I loved that they portrayed children and did a fun job at it. Drew's dancing was especially amazing and it was fun to see them play with and off each other. And I definitely NEED that pink Ostrich feather coat!!
Company: Rogues Gallery Arts
Show: My Only Hope for a Hero
Venue: Southern Theater
I Cried
I did something I've never done before at a Fringe show - I cried. Not just teared up, but I had tears streaming down my face. Specifically, Duck's story about his mom hit really close to home as someone whose father also has Crohn's. Such a good show - funny, heartfelt, touching, convincing. You will feel all the things.
Company: Rachel Buhman
Show: Joy; A Sketch Show
Venue: Strike Theater
Butts and Laughs Galore
I'm IN the burlesque show and I don't think I've looked at so many butts before. 😂 The sketches and bits were generally funny. I didn't quite get all of them (the dog one, the restaurant ones) and some of the actors were hard to hear. I loved the bit with the projector. And the napkins. Truly sketch comedy!
Company: Paper Soul
Show: NPC! (Non-Player Character)
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Not What I Expected
I too thought that this show was going to be more about an actual NPC character. I loved the humor at the beginning and I was slightly disappointed when it mostly stopped and turned into a storytelling show (which don't get me wrong, I love a good storytelling show but that wasn't what I was set up to think the show was). But the stories were good and I really enjoyed Motz overall. It was a very heartfelt and vulnerable show. I didn't attend the previous show so I don't have the background knowledge of what happened with that, but it wasn't super necessary. So while it was different than I expected, I wasn't unhappy or disappointed with the experience.
Company: The Shrieking Harpies
Show: The Shrieking Harpies
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Bring Ear Plugs
I really wanted to like this show. It was well reviewed, I've seen many an improv show, and it had artists I've seen before in and out of fringe. But the microphones REALLY did not work for me. The music was beautiful, but too loud and the microphones I think we're to help hear the actors above the music, but they were also too loud. Taj's at times sounded like a kid joining a zoom call (you know that muffled sound of a kid talking wayyy too close and too loudly into a microphone?). Add on top of that Taj's fantastic ability to play many characters (many of which were high pitched or shouty) and I was physically cringing and plugging my ears due to noise levels. Maybe it was the acoustics of where I was sitting or my neurodivergence, because others seemed to have a great time but the sound issues really took me out of the show and then I was more confused about the storyline (which in improv can change quite dramatically at any moment and can be hard to pick up once you lose it). There were definitely some funny moments and the performers are extremely talented. If they can figure out the sound and mic levels, this will be an awesome show!
Company: Pat O'Brien
Show: "Starved": The Astonishing True Story of the University of Minnesota Starvation Experiment
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
I learned so much!
I hadn't heard about these states before and was intrigued by the show premise. I learned a lot and the characters had a good range of acting. As mentioned in another review, I too was interested in hearing how food got reintroduced and also I was wondering how long the starvation study went on for. But I suppose any show that convinces the audience to research more is a win!
Company: musicbyskippy
Show: we can wish: a beatboxing and music variety show
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Infectious Energy
I met Skippy while in line for another show and you can tell immediately that he is just a delightful person. And his positive energy really shines through in his show! I loved the variety of styles of song, dance, and beatboxing and the audience gets to get involved too. The show is just heartwarming! Definitely go see it!!
Company: David Stillman
Show: Grindr Help Desk: The Musical
Venue: Mixed Blood Theatre
A Gay Time
I laughed so hard and immediately messaged my best friend that they had to see this show. (They're coming on Sunday!) The songs were fun and funny and we got free candy!
Company: Wet Splat Productions
Show: 20,000 Leagues Under the Telltale Heart
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Odd But Funny
You can tell that all of the actors are very experienced improvisors - some seemed to know a lot more about their characters than others. I missed the beginning scene's dialog because the music was so loud and so was a little confused on what the plot was supposed to be. I loved the dance at the beginning but then was thrown off by the immediate shift from Poe to HG Wells (and again because of the music, didn't know that the character had switched). I loved the secret love story but am sad that that plot point didn't get a chance to get resolved before the show ended. But overall, a lot of laughs, great character work, and a funny concept.
Company: Kurkendaal Barrett Presentations
Show: Climbing my family tree
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
I Want to Climb my Own Family Tree
I saw Les's show last year and was so excited to see him back here again. He captivates with each story he tells. This year's was particularly fascinating - I enjoyed seeing the photos and hearing all about Les's fascinating family. It made me want to look into my own genealogy more!!
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Company: Special When Lit and The Winding Sheet Outfit
Show: Stabby Stab Stab
Venue: Crane Theater
I loved it
I loved everything about this show. The program was extremely informative the line music was so creepy, the projections helped tell the story in so many ways. The acting was spot on and just fantastic. I really believed that they were both 11 year old girls. I didn't even know that much about the stabbing before seeing the show and I still enjoyed it. So glad I was able to see this show!
Company: Fortune’s Fool Theatre
Show: The Resilient Child
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Fiona is a Star
My favorite moment was when Fiona looked around for her spike tape marker. It was an adorable moment of childhood wholesomeness. Each of the stories were really good. One made me tear up, one made me think about privilege, but I think they all made me chuckle at some point. The stories are touching and thoughtful. I especially enjoyed Denzel's.
Company: Boldly Go Productions
Show: Star Trek: The Next Improvisation - Presented by HUGE Theater
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Nano Technology
I think it fit the Star Trek bill pretty well. Like most improv especially with such a large cast, it gets a bit awkward at times as different actors try to steer the story in different ways, but overall I had a great time and was really laughing at the end. MJ stole the show for me even as a "Black shirt." Also appreciate Laura's commitment to singing Blink 182. Oh and the opening credits were really fun as well!
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Company: Lady Chamberlain Productions
Show: 4 Bisexuals and 2 Guys Named John Kill Dracula
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Hilarious
I laughed really hard at this show - probably the must I've laughed at fringe this year. I feel like there were some plot holes and things that I didn't understand but I didn't care because I was laughing so hard. The show ends really abruptly. Literally blink and you could miss the big ending. But I highly recommend this very queer show.
Company: Allison Broeren
Show: Fire in My Veins: Blazing through Life with Invisible Illness
Venue: Strike Theater
Great Story About Spoonies
A real raw look into the life of someone with chronic illness, particularly auto immune disease. It was funny and captivating. A good lesson on spoon theory as well for those that are new. If you know someone who is chronically ill (or even if you don't), this is a good way to get a peek into a spoonie's life.
Company: Phina Pipia
Show: Ha Ha Da Vinci
Venue: Southern Theater
Whimsical
A lot of whimsy in this show. It switches between several musical instruments, sleight of hand, and a few other tricks (math tricks, shadow puppets) and surprises. I didn't know what to expect next. The storyline was a bit simple but I was having so much fun watching that I didn't mind.
Company: Hey Rube!
Show: Behemoth
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Behemoth
The story telling and acting is very good, but I agree that the timelines were really confusing. I had a hard time telling when and where the sisters were at any moment and what moments went in which order. I appreciate that the program explained the history of the behemoth metaphor because I don't think I would have understood as much without that.
Company: Goof Goof
Show: 101 Goofin' Things
Venue: Theatre in the Round
They Won't Do Every Thing... And That's Ok
Going in, I expected them to get through all 101 things before time ran out and I started to get anxiety about them finishing on time. Knowing that that won't happen and it's not designed to happen I think would have eased my mind, but I still had fun. It was silly and funny and messy and the audience all had a good time playing along!
Company: Eli Sibley
Show: Born of a Fairy Tale
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Cute!
Fantastic character work as a one person show portraying each character. Everything she did had movement involved, not to mention the full out dancing and telling of the story. Such stamina! She kept the story moving along and her movements were beautifully executed. Brava!
Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: A Girl Scout’s Guide to Exorcism
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Nostalgia
Former Girl Scout troupe 23 member (for 7 years) and also a Camp Lakamaga attendee (I grew up minutes from there!) - this brought out such a wave of nostalgia and forgotten memories for me. Somewhere deep in the recesses of my brain were the songs and pledges that I had said so many times in elementary school. But, back to the show. Besides all the nostalgia - the acting was fantastic. Each character felt very well rounded and the storyline moved along well. The physical acting was great too - special shout out to the Hawk and Chenoweth's Maia on that. And even the transitions were fun. I missed one moment with Badger due to blocking, but unfortunately there's no real way to avoid some of those things in an arena setting. Overall, absolutely loved it. Highly recommend. This is sure to be a Fringe favorite!
Company: The World Crime League
Show: Uncle Walt
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Uncle Walt
Do you ever go to a Fringe show and then find out that you know one of the cast members? That happened to me at the show, which made it all the more fun. I liked that the program explained the references that many would have otherwise gone over my head. The story I thought was quite gripping as you never quite knew the way it would go.
Company: Downton Productions
Show: Reception
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Reception
I loved all the Star Wars references and laughed at a few that others didn't get. I loved the way they named the characters - very creative. I wish Yaya would have said "Do or do not. There is no try." - missed opportunity in my opinion!