2023 Audience Reviews

Company: Imaginary Podcast Network
Show: Let Me Say This About That
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental

a nice satire

saw this show because I have previously seen shows Heather Meyer is in. she continues to do the 'dour, deadpan' thing well. it was a nice satire of podcasts. the 'tangled cord' bit didn't do anything for me, but otherwise I liked this show. capping this year's Fringe Festival with a silly show like this one works for me.

Company: Luma Notti
Show: ABSURDITY: a burlesque experience
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust

left a lot to be desired

I had seen many burlesque shows before and this one left a lot to be desired. for one thing the cast was too big, I am used to burlesque being way less than 16 performers. there was a lady one row in front of me that was crying during the 'monologues' about 'what burlesque is' but it didn't land with me. as a performer I have said the same things about performing, so what was being said wasn't in any way UNIQUE to burlesque. the show ran short, then it was filled in with more advertising for the troupe, and asking for 5-star (kitty) reviews. I am not swayed by pleas for 5 stars, I will rate it the way I see fit. the show card was a tip-off that it wouldn't be my favorite Fringe show, I saw it as condescending that it 'encouraged the audience to cheer while the performers are dancing.' I think most people are smart enough to cheer at a live performance- be it sports, concerts, or theater- whenever they see something they like. also seemed wrong to be throwing tips onstage. there are better ways to tip performers than this. and it can be hard to tell what is being thrown-it could be just as easily garbage. when I see something being thrown onstage I take it as the crowd member isn't happy- and another way of trying to boo them offstage.

Company: Ghoulish Delights
Show: 5 Prisoners
Venue: Southern Theater

some compelling social commentary

saw this one because I had seen previous shows that Duck Washington is in. five vignettes, and some compelling social commentary. what worked for me the most was the final one, the debate about rehab and justice. the alien in the green costume also made it memorable. along with being caught off guard with the one where the medical pro scolds the blood donor. what didn't was the one where people were bound and gagged in chairs, while somebody shoots them. I was lost as to why it was part of the show. also seemed wrong to have one scene end with 'breaking the fourth wall' saying 'enjoy the rest of the show' as this wasn't a comedy. that being said, there still was enough of what I saw that I liked.

Company: Rogues Gallery Arts
Show: My Only Hope for a Hero
Venue: Southern Theater

spoke from the heart, laughed a little

i laughed a little during this show but the lasting impression was seeing Duck speak from the heart. I had seen shows Duck had been in before, and after the first one (pandas) I said I wanted to hear more from him. Got my wish in this show! some stories were sobering to say the least, but I like it when a performer has the courage to bear their soul. lasting impression was the one about the young lady's suicide attempt.

Company: The Shrieking Harpies
Show: The Shrieking Harpies
Venue: Rarig Center Arena

liked the swamp thing

i had seen improv before but it had been a while. liked the shorter lady doing 'the swamp thing', the uncle of another character. was paying attention to the improv more than the music. likely purely coincidental when one character had the same name as me, although it is a rare name.