Sub-Total
2025 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Josh Elmore
Company: Theatre on the Rocks
Show: A Good Cancer to Have
Venue: Mixed Blood
We all grew from your vulnerability
Thank you for such a wonderful show, Sam. I’m so sorry you had to go through this, but I was so inspired by your love for life - especially for your wife. It moved me to tears. I’ll take your advice and do something I would never do. Thank you for such a genuine self-reflection.
Company: Comedy Suitcase
Show: The Gentlemen’s Pratfall Club
Venue: Theatre in the Round
A bit of a delightful mess
This high-energy show will captivate you. While the plot is a bit shaky and some of the bits fall flat, you’ll be glad you went.
Company: SUPERMOON
Show: All Your Shimmering Gold
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Original, profound, and educational
It’s like watching Oppenheimer live, told in a more artistic manner. This take on Das Rheingold combines factual information about nuclear weapons synthesis and operatic elements in reference to the original. You’ll leave in silence and in awe of the quality of performance. Absolutely a Golden Lanyard contender.
Company: Third Space Theater
Show: Breach
Venue: Theatre in the Round
Best acting I’ve seen this year
The dramatic tension this crew is able to build on a ship in a storm is nothing short of breathtaking. The acting, the direction, the social commentary, and the use of stagecraft makes this a top contender for a Golden Lanyard. Fantastic.
Company: Madlads Productions
Show: Academonic
Venue: Mixed Blood
Great acting, but plot needs some tweaks
The actors in this show did a phenomenal job - from the lead actress to the demon - and the show was intriguing and brought light to how women of color are treated in academia. My biggest critique is the structuring of the show. There is a lot of build-up to a finale, and then the climax happens very quickly without much payoff. This show is awesome - some simple adjustments would put it there.
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Company: SAATH
Show: Manasu - Echoes of the Mind
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
The only show that made me well up
I’ve seen 12 shows now, and this is the one that hit me the most. The combination of beautiful writing from the first-time playwright, the excellent monologue actors, and the connection to Indian culture (which educated me) leaves you feeling touched. As a queer man myself, I greatly respected the topics touched on in this show. I’m so glad I went. Thank you for creating such a beautiful show for us.
Company: Steven Nicholas
Show: Mind Reader
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Will blow your mind!
Steven is a trained professional who pulls off incredible feats of sorcery in his shows. You’ll keep thinking the reveal has happened, only to have it keep building for an even bigger reveal! 10/10 entertainment. You’ll definitely say, “OMG” more than a few times.
Company: an alleged Theatre Company
Show: The Temporary Tattoo Trio
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
The best I’ve seen so far
This is my 8th show in the festival, and it’s a true standout. It’s original, relatable, and gives a healthy and realistic portrayal of male friendship. It’s very clever and self-aware. Rock solid writing. Thanks, guys!
Company: Jackdonkey Productions
Show: 503
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Phenomenal acting as expected
The combination of a powerful, versatile, lead actor, a very effective multi-instrumentalist, and an AV coordinator create a relevant take on totalitarianism . It goes beyond the basic “tyrants are bad” message and causes us to give weight to the motives that might encourage someone to accept a solution for all their problems. Very effective blocking and use of the theater to differentiate scenes. Absolutely worth seeing - knocked it out of the park.
Company: New Endeavors
Show: An Exorcism, Don'tcha Know?
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Original and clever- MNs will appreciate!
This play perfectly captures life in the rural MN Lutheran community. It’s witty, full of action, and endearing all at the same time. Some non-native MNs might not get some of the jokes, so be prepared for that. However, you’ll still have a blast! Thanks for the great show, guys!
Company: Literally Entertainment
Show: The Lasso Way: A Musical
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
A feel-good experience, like the show
This show is for fans and non-fans alike. It’s an hour of fun, personal growth, and a rousing final song that leaves you feeling warm and inspired. It does drag at a few points, but I’m still giving it a 5 because the ending impression accomplishes what it needs to. Love!
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Company: JexArzayus Productions
Show: La Tunda: A Reimagining of a Colombian Folklore
Venue: Mixed Blood
Interesting content and queer-friendly
Although I’m familiar with Chupacabra and La Llorona, I’d never heard of La Tunda before this show. It gave a lot of really interesting background information on the cultural context of this creature while incorporating trans and gender non-conforming people into a cast that has wonderful chemistry. The sound was an issue, as I couldn’t hear a lot of what certain characters were saying, but I’m sure it’s much better after opening night. As a side note, meet the cast - they’re lovely!
Company: Dogdog-Beardog
Show: Ranger Jim
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
Incredible storyteller who knows what matters
I decided to go to this show based on the title, and I wasn’t disappointed. It feels just like you’re listening to your grandfather tell you a story in your parents’ living room. He teaches us that human imagination is more powerful than the visual, and he paints his true stories in such an emotionally powerful way that you can’t help but feel connected to him. Absolutely recommend, and thank you for the good message.
Company: Duluth Improv
Show: Duluth: An Improvised Midwest Murder
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Knocked it out of the park! Great for MNs
This Chicago-based group put on a phenomenal show with interesting scenarios, great one-liners, and made so many wonderful jokes that only Minnesotans will understand! I’ll absolutely be seeing this a second time.
Company: Melancholics Anonymous
Show: Joan of Arc for Miss Teen Queen USA
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
Cane together in a hysterical way
I’ve been a fan of MA for years now. This show was excellent, but it didn’t quite rise to the quality of their previous shows in the first half (but made up for it in the second). The space gives them some acoustic challenges, and it a bit to get into the groove because it was difficult to hear their clever lines. There were times when I got a bit bored, but that was quickly washed away when things picked up. The original songs are very fun, it has a good message, and you’ll be happy you saw it. It just needs a bit of tweaking.