2025 Audience Reviews

Company: Brad Lawrence
Show: The Big Secret
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre

Hanging on every word!

I've only take a couple of storytelling classes, so I'm no expert, but IMO this man is a total master at it. I forgot to think about what time it was or where I was or what I have to do tomorrow or if I even have to cough. I was just sucked in.

Company: Ethan Nienaber/ GJ Media
Show: What We Wore
Venue: Open Eye Theatre

So much potential

So many incredible pieces of fashion! She had such rich, interesting stories to tell about her family members, her past relationship, her work experience, etc. --- but she only touched on those at the very end. And I do feel like that's where this show should be putting its focus--on the stories about, and the relationships with, her great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother. The statistics and quotes from books made me feel like I was watching a high school class presentation at times, and that's really hard to connect with emotionally. I think most people (and especially women) who come to Minneapolis Fringe in 2025 know the basics of feminism. I don't necessarily need to hear quotes from feminist literature (no shade ofc), I want to hear about your relationship with your mom and that incredible Lion King T-shirt!! What we want to have is YOUR story (esp. if you're marketing this as a storytelling show) which is what truly makes us connect, makes us laugh, makes us cry, makes us understand, maybe even changes our minds and alters our perspective. But maybe that's not the kind of show she wanted -- this one just didn't hit hard for me, sorry.

Company: Sophia R.B. White
Show: White Noises
Venue: Open Eye Theatre

I'm willing to believe I'm wrong/didn't get it but

I really really struggled to connect with this, unfortunately. This actress is so talented, but me and the friend I saw it with found ourselves uncomfortable, and not in a way we found interesting. Listen, I cannot judge: I wrote a whole show once about being rejected by a boy I went on three dates with, but the attempt to imbue that narrative with horror elements didn't really play for me-- I think perhaps it needed a slower build to that spooky and cool ending. I am legitimately happy to see others liked it--and I'm excited to see what Sophia does in the future.

Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre

guess I'm the party pooper

This was fun, but I'm not getting the hype exactly. I'm not sure the premise behind the show (which is very funny) is more than a sketch. Only a couple of the actor's performances felt particularly inspired or inspiring, none of the conflict, or its resolution, felt earned or grounded. It had its moments, and I'm still gonna see whatever MA does next--maybe this one just didn't hit for me.