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2025 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Thomas Honeywell
Company: Cora Casper
Show: INSOMNIA DOGS
Venue: Mixed Blood
Longer version please!!!! (SPOILERS AHEAD)
To preface, I firmly believe most of my critiques with "Insomnia Dogs" could easily be resolved should Cora Casper decide to write a longer version of the play. They lay out some fantastic and surreal ideas with an immense amount of room for exploration, but I get the sense that their vision was inhibited by the limited one hour run time allowed for Fringe productions. To start, I don't believe that any of these characters (other than Odessa) are freshmen in college. It's a combination of both the age of the actors, as well as the confidence the other four characters showed in themselves that simply did not read "first year" to me. Like I mentioned though, this play has FANTASTIC ground work, and the overarching story of these five characters practicing intentionally induced insomnia to discover their real artistic vision but in reality discover how they truly felt about their friendships is a grand idea that I was all here for, but like I mentioned, the idea unfortunately fell a little flat due to the limited run time. Some key examples that come to mind for me will be listed below: River and Maxie's subplot could either use one more scene for a firmer resolution, or more explanation before the friend zoning to explain why River rejected Maxie. It was unclear to me if River rejected Maxie because she wasn't happy with her own mental state or if it because she is actually straight. It is stated early in the play that River sleeps with men, but the dynamic I got between Maxie and River led me to believe that River is queer, and was unhappy with men because she actually wanted to be with Maxie, plus the foreshadowing of the sweetheart candy scene. Of course we don't actually know which side of the heart was facing up, but it read to me as if the words were facing up, which essentially left Chekhov's Gun unfired when River rejected Maxie. Why did Odessa forgive Camille so quickly? The idea of the incoming freshman being taken under the wing of a talented upperclassmen to be groomed into said upperclassmen's ideal protege is a very interesting subplot, but when Odessa came to the realization that Camille was using her, she forgave her after only one night and they didn't *really* address it aside from a short outburst from River. Also, in that same realm, I don't believe any of these characters would have forgave Camille. River said it right: "you treat us all like projects." These four girls are not real friends to Camille, simply classmates and peers to bounce artistic ideas off of to lift herself up in her own world, and she essentially guilt tripped the other four into practicing extremely harmful behavior for a week straight for a fantasy with no basis, that caused real damage. Maxie's grades slipped, Joey's physical health declined, and River's real insomnia only became more perpetuated by forcing it to happen. Camille shows incredibly toxic behavior towards her friends, and I think the resolution of the story would have been better served if Odessa and River stayed mad at her, and she left the friend group, to learn from her mistakes. And then, the other four could have gone to the dance without her, had a great time like they wanted, and River and Maxie could have gotten together in a sweet closing dance!! Those big things being said, this piece has great promise. All five actors acted the HELL out of the characters, and each of their motivations was clear the entire time. I particularly latched onto River, and I love how the story initially framed Camille as the main character, but then over time shifted to placing River as the hero of the story with Camille becoming the antagonist. Joey is a FANTASTIC comic relief, and was excellently played, and would only be served by a longer run time. Odessa's naivety was always sweet to watch, and Maxie's confused queer feelings made my queer heart wiggle with joy. I'm running out of characters but I have so much more to say, in short PLEASE WRITE A LONGER VERSION <3333
Company: Theatre on the Rocks
Show: A Good Cancer to Have
Venue: Mixed Blood
Live.
I don't have a cancer, I never have had cancer, and hopefully I never do, but I have been in a place where the thought of dying was all too relevant. The fear, the dread, the thought if it all ending and having nothing to show for it, I have felt it, and to say it was cathartic to finally watch someone put the feelings I felt in tangible words for the world to consume, it would be such an understatement. Sam does a nigh-perfect job bringing forth the emotions that come with what feel like helpless situations. It felt GOOD to shed tears, tears of joy and pain, in knowing that I wasn't alone. That my fear of becoming an unlucky statistic was not only mine. Why should it take us almost dying to finally realize we need to live? To pursue the life we want? I don't know. Shit, neither does Sam, but I am not alone, and so is no one else, who feels that way. Also Sam high fived me halfway through the show after ragging on current issues and that was epic so in spirit he gets 6 kitties instead of 5 for that.
Company: Dogdog-Beardog
Show: Ranger Jim
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Good message, inconsistent execution
Ranger Jim brings forth an important message now more than ever, that we NEED to save our national parks. He does so by telling three stories of important interactions he had while working at the park, and how they affected himself and the people visiting them. The first two stories kept me thoroughly engaged, and though I recognize the heartwarming nature of the third story, I failed to stay engaged the entire time. If my internal clock was correct, the third story takes up the entire second half of the show, and the middle of the story about the climb (if you know you know) quickly fell short on me as it just seemed to drag and restate the same point multiple times. That being said Jim himself is very charismatic and heartwarming, and he is fighting a very good fight against our current administration and their want to remove our national parks, and he should be recognized for that.
Company: Third Space Theater
Show: Breach
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Pyschological Masterpiece
Psychological horror is my bread and butter, and this show left me floored by the end. The mystery and the supernatural at play reminds me greatly of Hereditary, as you never really know what is going on. All six actors give their all the entire show and have immense control over such a difficult space to act in (The Theatre in the Round). The way they recycled/upcycled for their props is astoundingly interesting, and though it took a second for me to get what some of the props were, how they played with them warms my treehugging heart. This is by far the best show I have seen all Fringe, and I'm confident it will remain that way. I cannot wait to see it again to begin putting more of the mystery together!
Company: SUPERMOON
Show: All Your Shimmering Gold
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Absurdist and iconic
I genuinely don't know how to describe what I just watched other than saying I really enjoyed. SUPERMOON takes Avante Garde and Absurdism to the extreme, but I'm all here for it. I work with one of the cast members so I wasn't expecting the big surprise but I was all here for it. If you want to watch something weird, and learn how a little bit about Uranium 235 and 238, please go see this show. Bravo friends!
Company: Paper Soul
Show: Boxcutter Harmonica
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
What is a "Boxcutter Harmonica"?
It's not what you think. Come watch two men crash out about the devil for an hour and you just might find out what it is, as well as something new about yourself.
Company: an alleged Theatre Company
Show: The Temporary Tattoo Trio
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
I wanted to give Tyler a hug.
Which Tyler did I want to hug? Guess you'll have to come see the show and find. Infinitely hilarious, surprisingly emotional and moving, and I got a free (temporary) tattoo! Tyler, Tyler, and Tyler truly bring to life friends who get older, but grow apart as the years go by. Would watch again if I didn't have 25 other shows to see.
Company: Jennifer Vosters
Show: Songs Without Words (or, The Mendelssohn Play)
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Heartwarming and heartbreaking
Never did I think I would find myself caring for two German composers that I'd (unfortunately) never heard of, but Jennifer Vosters did just that. Though I live and break the status quo every day, this piece helped show me even more that when the world says you shouldn't pursue your dreams because its not what you're made for, to do so anyway. Family is important, but they aren't always right. Keep creating, keep loving, and keep being free. Thank you, Jennifer, for the tears I shed tonight.
Company: Michael Rogers
Show: That Which Is Green
Venue: The Southern Theatre
Beautiful and cathartic
This piece is an absolutely beautiful exploration of how organized religion helps us forge close bonds, but can also tear our worlds apart. Kevin and Kevin form a dynamic duo that shows how strong true friendships can stay, even when drifted apart. I was ugly crying halfway through the show, and the third french scene in particular is what did me in. Congratulations on opening night, and thank you for such a beautiful show!