Sub-Total
2023 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Rose Friedman
Company: Wet Splat Productions
Show: 20,000 Leagues Under the Telltale Heart
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
SO Funny
First to those who are trying to insinuate the show isn't completely improvised, I can confirm it is. Due to the producer's structure of the show & how well the improvisers play with each other, it was genuinely a bit hard to determine (but that speaks to just HOW GOOD these performers are). I love goofy, storytelling improv like this, and was so worth my time. Found myself laughing & with a big smile on my face almost the entire time, and wished desperately that the show were longer. The concept behind the characters were so funny, and they really worked well together. If you're someone who wants to just have a good time at a performance, absolutely go out and support them. Seriously. This isn't for people who hate fun. If you like silliness and laughter and joy, this is for you.
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Company: Garrison Shea
Show: Allegro
Venue: Southern Theater
Beautiful Production
I think this is the most well-executed Fringe show I've had the pleasure of seeing. Every element worked together perfectly to create this show, and was so, so well done. The funny bits were funny, the serious moments made me tear up. The whole cast of actors was just incredible. Still a bit on the fence on how I feel about the voiceover, but given the concept of the show it made a lot of sense, and added to the production rather than detracted. All the moments staged under the music/voiceover flowed really well, and the timing (by either the stage manager or sound design, I'm not sure) was just perfect. Show flowed smoothly, and all the characters felt so, so real. Super big applause to Garrison Shea; for a first time writing/producing/directing a Fringe show, brought a really cohesive, beautiful product to life. I would have assumed this was a bigger producer in the scene, because the work and love put into this show was so apparent. Go see this one!
Company: Nightfall Productions
Show: Fargo Allegro
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
The car was 5 stars
The true stand-out for this one was the tech! Oh my gosh, the car coming out was genuinely breathtaking for me. The use of the fabric material was great, the projection was perfect, and the show was exactly what it needed to be. It was camp, it was funny, it was visually stunning. As someone who hasn't seen the movie Fargo, I think I would have appreciated the production more if I had. Even then, it made me want to watch Fargo. Super funny actors, really great production quality.
Company: Ghoulish Delights
Show: 5 Prisoners
Venue: Southern Theater
Interesting Concept
I thought the premise of the show was very interesting, and thought the actors did a really incredible job! (My stand-out was Gregory Park). I thought it was interesting, but the writing was a bit hit-or-miss for me. Some of them landed really well (especially the alien one - such a touching commentary on the state of our "Justice" system), but others I had difficulty resonating with and understanding. It also personally took me a bit too long to figure out that the scenes aren't telling one cohesive story - and are instead disjointed scenes/tableaus exploring one theme. I think with a bit more workshopping, this could really hit home! Worth seeing for some interesting commentary, just don't go in expecting a cohesive storyline.
Company: Destiny Davison
Show: DOLLY WHO?
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Dolly is Great!
I typically have trouble paying attention in solo shows, but Dolly captured my attention! I thought the art was so cool, and Destiny was such a charismatic performer. She really played with us as an audience, and felt like I was a part of a friend group. The improv element was also really well-done, and so joyful to see the performer having fun and PLAYING! If you like being open to a little goofiness, this is one for you.
Company: Spektakular Theatre
Show: A Jingle Jangle Morning
Venue: Rarig Center Arena
Good Children's Theater
Such a joy to witness! The staging was really well-done, and the actors perfectly created the world. Loved the puppetry, and the writing was just so, so sweet. The tech elements were super cool - creating the light for the moons, the puppets & over-the-top costumes were amazing, and that rocket ship! Wow! Had just enough fun & joy and little references for the adults to appreciate, like the Dark Side of the Moon inspired design on the ship. It was lovely to experience, and had a good message for kids & adults alike. Highly recommend, even if you're not a child. Filled with so, so much silliness and joy
Company: Black Lives Black Words International Project
Show: Baldwin's Last Fire
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Incredible Staging
As someone with a strong appreciation for clever staging and direction, this production knocked it out of the park. The elements of the butterflies, the multipurpose rectangle-type structure utilized as well as the work with fabric truly made the production visually stunning and engaging. The tech elements/direction really took center stage on this one, and was genuinely inspiring for folks interested in directing. I thought the lead was incredible! His storytelling & character was delivered with the preciseness needed with the script he was given. I know I need to find out what else this actor is doing in the Twin Cities so I can watch him more! I did struggle with some of the supporting actors, as it felt as though I was watching a line read at times. I also enjoyed the script quite a bit; it reminded me stylistically of Hunchback of Notre Dame - the actors narrating themselves and the environment throughout the play, and was a perfect example of excellently written narration. (Which, in turn, was highlighted by the staging. Would love to pick this director's brain). Go see this one, especially if you're a fan of creative technical elements!
Company: Paper Soul
Show: NPC! (Non-Player Character)
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Unexpectedly Charming
I went in not knowing about Motz' previous shows, but I'm glad I checked it out! I will say, this is not a full show about an NPC, if that's what you're expecting. However, I didn't mind that it broke off from the "NPC" persona at all, and found the personal anecdotes quite charming, and Motz is a great storyteller. However, I feel the show could have benefitted from a bit more preparation. I didn't mind a ton, as he had a nice way of making tongue-in-cheek jokes about having script in-hand, and just went with it. I felt he had a lot of respect and care for his audience, and appreciated the environment he cultivated throughout. He was joking with us, and the pre-show was a really nice touch.
Company: Mermaid Productions
Show: The Very Model of a Modern Monster Scientist
Venue: Augsburg Studio
A MUST-SEE
I'd heard about this show through word-of-mouth, and I'm so so glad I gave it a shot. I find more deadpan humor is hard to land, but Rev. Matt is like a king of deadpan. The slides were a great touch, the writing was absolutely lovely & made you feel very safe as an audience member...telling Medusa's true story from a feminist perspective made you know you were in a good environment with honest storytellers. Loved the way Elora & Rev. Matt interacted, they bounced very well between playing the "straight man" archetype and getting to be the comedic focus for the scene. Seriously, done super well & made me want to see these actors in the rest of their shows. They are just that good. If you don't make it to this one, you're missing out.
Company: Timothy Mooney Repertory Theatre
Show: Breakneck Midsummer Night’s Dream
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Cool elements
This is coming from a perspective of someone with 5+ years of Shakespeare experience, so do not take my word as an "average" audience member. First, I thought the amount of text that the actors had to juggle (as well as how just how many roles they were playing) was seriously impressive. It's difficult to memorize just one role in Shakespeare's canon, much less 2-3. Considering how fast it was advertised, I was expecting more of a Sparknotes/modernized text version, rather than a cut & sped-up version. So off-the bat, I really really appreciated it! Also thought some of the staging was very funny (having Hermia on her knees during the fight scene was great). I also thought the props that were included were really gorgeous - Bottom's donkey head was just awesome. Some things I struggled with were mostly the stakes of the performance & some scene transitions. The Christmas trees were clever, but some of the transitions between scenes were a bit slow (at least the time I saw it). I'd recommend this one if you're trying to get into Shakespeare, or just enjoy it! I did find the play to be understandable, which is probably the most important thing for the audience with classical text.
Company: Kyle B. Dekker
Show: Audacious Ignatius: Lost in Atlantis
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Interesting History
I wanted to check this one out, as I really adore learning about history...especially weird history. I thought the writing of the piece was really interesting, and it was so so appreciated how the performer didn't pull the punches on the reality of the time period. It's very easy for us to not learn about the unfortunate sides of history, and appreciated that the performer was honest and blunt about how the anti-semitism of the time period (and that weird, weird man) was the reality, and wasn't to be glossed over. It was treated with care, and I always appreciate honesty and attention to not glorifying or glossing over history like that. My main critique was that at times, I felt some of the energy in the performance was lacking. I absolutely applaud the performer, though, as solo shows are really really tough! I mainly just noticed it as I personally have difficulty sitting down and watching things for too long - especially solo performers. I also really enjoyed the props that were utilized, and thought they were a really effective way of demonstrating Ignatius' insane POV. Nicely done, check it out if you're a history buff!
Company: Clevername Theatre
Show: Mother Courage Bear and Her Children
Venue: Southern Theater
A bit confusing
First off, the actors really make the piece. Truly, I was surprised how much I liked them, and I think Clevername managed to find some of the best comedic actors for this show (in particular, I loved Hubris & Sandwich Bear). However, I struggled with the actual writing of the show. I was confused with what the allegories/parallels were being drawn, as it just felt like the writer didn't really care for Brecht's original Mother Courage. What was a story about profiting off the war & how it's just as bad as being IN the war turned into...maybe something about social media? I wasn't quite clear on what they were trying to say with it (which I think is a mistake, considering the original piece is inherently tied to politics). The writing threw me, and I was incredibly confused as to what meant what. Despite the confusing writing, I thought the direction and actors did the absolute best they could with it. I did find myself laughing a few times, and appreciated clever staging to depict deaths. I'd go to support those elements, just try not to think too much about what the writing/new Care Bear elements mean.
Company: Clevername Theatre
Show: Mother Courage Bear and Her Children
Venue: Southern Theater
A bit confusing
First off, the actors really make the piece. Truly, I was surprised how much I liked them, and I think Clevername managed to find some of the best comedic actors for this show (in particular, I loved Hubris & Sandwich Bear). However, I struggled with the actual writing of the show. I was confused with what the allegories/parallels were being drawn, as it just felt like the writer didn't really care for Brecht's original Mother Courage. What was a story about profiting off the war & how it's just as bad as being IN the war turned into...maybe something about social media? I wasn't quite clear on what they were trying to say with it (which I think is a mistake, considering the original piece is inherently tied to politics). The writing threw me, and I was incredibly confused as to what meant what. Despite the confusing writing, I thought the direction and actors did the absolute best they could with it. I did find myself laughing a few times, and appreciated clever staging to depict deaths. I'd go to support those elements, just try not to think too much about what the writing/new Care Bear elements mean.
Company: Fortune’s Fool Theatre
Show: The Resilient Child
Venue: Augsburg Mainstage
Beautiful Work!
I thought this production was exactly what it needed to be: simple, storytelling, and vulnerable. In particular, something I really appreciated was Amber's kindness & care in nudging the kids in the right direction. The kids didn't seem to be actors, but I quite honestly didn't mind. It was very vulnerable, and they got to talk about what made them resilient. Maybe it's the baby fever in me, but I loved seeing them have the courage to go up and talk about their struggles. The adult performers were phenomenal as well. It felt very raw, very real. I felt able to deeply connect with all of them, and made for a really memorable, beautiful experience filled with love and care. Tugged at my heartstrings
Company: Imaginary Podcast Network
Show: Let Me Say This About That
Venue: Rarig Center Xperimental
Co-hosts for Life
So glad I went out to see this show! I love longer-form improv, and this one made my list. Found myself smiling and giggling throughout the whole show. I loved the audience interaction as well; thought it was a good balance between the actors improving and playing off each other, as well as using audience suggestions/questions to further their "podcast". The performers worked off each other so well, which is perhaps the most important element to improv. Would absolutely recommend checking this one out!
Company: Alex Church
Show: Primary
Venue: Augsburg Studio
Needs a bit more time
By the title, I mean it both in workshopping and as a show. I think this would work a lot better as a longer show, perhaps produced outside of Fringe. The acting was lovely, had a lot of great elements that I appreciated. The opening video was sharp and funny, and loved the messaging it was aiming for. However, I felt that there was a bit too much going on for the 60 minutes Fringe allows. It aimed to tackle a lot of political issues, and I think it would have been much more effective if it honed in on one or two. I also had a bit of trouble hearing the actors at times - one of those moments where the show seemed beautifully intimate, but actors needed to project a bit more, as I was straining to hear at times. I would recommend checking it out, and hopefully this takes on a new life after Fringe!
Company: Sandbox Theatre
Show: Yes No Maybe (please explain)
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Beautiful Experience
This production was filled with so much heartfelt love for the 90's, and for our teenage selves. At times onstage it felt like looking at a celebration and respect for our younger selves, and the whole cast committed to the silliness. Lots of creative staging, lots of fun (I'm biased, it made me cry). Unfortunately the volume was a little tricky - it was difficult hearing the actors at times, but I'm optimistic this issue will be resolved going forward. Go see this one! My favorite out of the shows I saw that day
Company: Jackdonkey Productions
Show: Dock Work
Venue: Rarig Center Thrust
Touching Avant-Garde Art
The movement, music, and text were so well done. The ensemble worked together beautifully, and really utilized their movement to convey a powerful show of frustration and aggression. I’ve never seen a punk band onstage at Fringe, but they killed it! Such a touching story - the ensemble and the band absolutely crushed.