Sub-Total
2025 Audience Reviews
Member Reviews
The following reviews were submitted by Fringe Member: Katherine DuGarm
Company: Griffy LaPlante
Show: Salt
Venue: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Here by accident, hit me in the feels
I thought something else was playing, then I got the program and stayed. Active in my union, I appreciated one of the Emmas organizing their warehouse. The conflict of person being drafted recalled to me when in 1980 young men had to start registering with Selective Service. My friends debated whether to register and what they would do if they didn't register. These issues come around again and again. This is the second show I've seen this Fringe about the US military-industrial complex.
Company: Deconstructing Directing
Show: Director's Cut: Where Play Becomes Magic
Venue: Rarig Kilburn Theatre
An industrial tour of theater
I like industrial tours, for instance visiting a brewery to see how the magic is made. This was an industrial tour of directing a play. It started with a first read through and ended with a performance of the scene. It was fascinating to me how the director drew out actions or phrasing from the actors, and encouraged them to go with their instincts.
Company: Jennifer Vosters
Show: Songs Without Words (or, The Mendelssohn Play)
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Standing ovation
I would give Song Without Words 10 kitties. I can't recall another Fringe show that got a standing ovation. This one did. A beautiful story about the Mendelssohn siblings, their music, and their relationship. Fannie's husband was a good guy - seeing his wife's talent, how music feeds her souls, and supporting her. The Saturday afternoon show was sold out. If you want to see this, make a reservation or get in line early.
Company: Gabriel Shen | Twin Cities Youth Theatre
Show: Death! A Musical
Venue: The Southern Theatre
What will Gabriel Shen be doing in 5 years?
This show had a thought provoking story to tell. The structure was 7 challenges. Think labors of Hercules or trials in The Magic Flute. What was impressive was the creativity by young people in making this happen. Having seen what Gabriel did as a 7th-grader, what will be produced as a high school senior? Highly recommend this show. Other reviews mentioned balance between singers and orchestra. I found the same thing, which is why this gets 4.5 kitties. I couldn't always hear the singers.
Company: Flamenco X
Show: Her voice rising
Venue: The Southern Theatre
I should have read the More Information
I am not good at seeing the story in dance. Without those program notes, I understood the pieces on immigration and on the silencing and killing of women. Only now as I write this review did I discover an explanation of the dances I saw. The stories were powerful as was the dancing.
Company: The Winding Sheet Outfit
Show: The Spirit Moves You To Color The Unseen
Venue: Rarig Stoll Thrust Theatre
I want to know more about Hilma
This was a thought provoking introduction to Hilma af Klint. The end of the play brought us back to the beginning, measuring the depth of the sea then measuring the expanse of the Spirit. We got to see women supporting each other. We got to see men claiming or belittling, or both, the work of women.
Company: Nichole Carey & Company
Show: Withering Lows: A Love Story Better Off Dead
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Loved the song and dance
The dance number is not what I expected given the stormy relationship of Cathy and Heathcliff. Nellie's duty in life is to keep the fire lit and to ignore the ghosts around her.
Company: Raffish Ripoff Productions
Show: Trust ̶E̶x̶e̶r̶c̶i̶s̶e̶s̶ Exorcises
Venue: Rarig Nolte Xperimental Theatre
Dark yet funny
Phil's father sound like a great guy. He wanted to participate in the lives on his children, including his son in high school. When things seemed hinky, he investigated. Phil spins the wheel and tells stories about his high school theater department. People contact the principal, students contact the police, nothing is done because the students win awards. Despite the dark theme, there was humor in the telling of stories. I found the end to be uplifting. We are damaged, he is broken.
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Company: Special When Lit
Show: Fangs and Bangs (and Sangs)
Venue: The Southern Theatre
Special guest stars
Amber Bjork and Derek Lee Miller were the right amount of over-the-top as readers of the vampire fan fiction. It was all good, the music, the life story of middle school, the reading of fan fiction. There was even a copyrighted poem! Gosh I felt old. Half the songs I had never heard before and never heard of. If this isn't on your list yet, it should be. Nissa had all-stars as her guests for every show. You can't go wrong which ever one you see.