Coyfish

Modern and Intimate

This show had me in all the feels. It combines a modern twist with fulfilling acting and grazes some themes of the Asian American experience without taking away from the intersections of love, family, and gender identity.

Cute, cliche.

I was expecting more Asian culture struggles given the description but whatever. The script was good but needs updating. I don't think anyone does online-only chatting like these characters for so long any more, maybe back in the 1990s and mostly just in movies. Still, a good Fringe effort with adorable actors.

Loved Coyfish!

Along with the amazing acting, this story holds so many learnings and really kept me on my toes! Really well done

An engaging show

I went to “Coyfish” on Tuesday, August 8. Through the dialogue and monologues of two actors, the play explores online dating, both the special and immediate intimacies it allows and the secrets it allows us to keep, secrets that can make moving the relationship into the real world frightening and even potentially dangerous. I really liked the staging of this lovely, engaging play. In a show about technology, there was something profoundly effective about the simple, analog set (an easel pad with dates written on it in marker, with the pages flipped in turns by the actors to show the passing of time; a rack of clothes one of the actors changed into when the lights dimmed between scenes), and the way the actors voiced not only the text they share but all the accoutrements (“Dot dot dot”; “winky face”). Both performances were strong—I felt for and was rooting for both of these endearing characters—and the show was well-paced, owing to both the actors and the script, which effectively brought in pieces of both characters’ backstories. The tension built to a strong climax, too. I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the ending, which felt a little abrupt. And to me, it didn’t sufficiently grapple with everything that happens in that tense and emotional climax. But endings are difficult. I’m very happy I saw this.

Engaging Love Story

loved the side by side storytelling- the actors were able to pull in the audience and give a sense to time and change through wardrobe

Remarkable Performances

A well paced and thoughtful script made exceptional by the compelling performances of the actors. Would very much recommend.

Sweet and Ernest

An important and beautiful story driven by honest and compelling emotions. Come for the love, stay for the friendship.

Best in Fringe (so far)

It is Monday morning, and I am writing my 17th review. I've seen a bunch of shows, and Coyfish is top on the list, and may just remain there. The acting is fantastic, the script is engaging, it is both funny and moving, and takes us into the world of on-line dating that we (at least us Baby Boomers) don't know very well. Highly recommended.

Must see

The show was great!! A mix of comedy and real life emotions! The acting from both actors where extremely good.

Coy Vey, What A Ride

Two lonely hearts in Minneapolis cross paths in this dynamic dual show. Keivin Vang plays the plucky and optimistic Benji, while Tri Vo's enigmatic Danie starts out cocky and conspiring but gains traction as the story progresses, leaving the audience member with thoughts on whose heart is truly broken, and how interpretations and misinterpretations can change a person's life forever. For those who were hoping for a happier ending...just like in life, sometimes the story you want to see isn't the story that needs to be told. The heartbreak is real here, but just which heart is broken and how much, is for the audience member to ponder.

Triggering

I am so proud of one of the actors in this show and how far they've come since I last saw them. The show was triggering because it reminded me of the experiences I've had growing up, which included the desire (and the expectation, but that's another story for another time) to people please. People pleasing can be a very toxic trait.

Youth, intimacy, and trust

Loved this show. Captures the thrill and uncertainty of desire and becoming. Go see this performance!!!

Compelling and compassionate

This complex, compelling and compassionate play explores important topics at a very human level. Both performers adeptly handled the mountains of text and kept me completely engaged.

Masterfully Done

It was great to see Keiven and Tri following in some great footsteps at the Fringe with doing professional quality acting and delivering it masterfully well on the first night. I made it a priority to see this one the opening night as it had many parts about online dating that I found quite relatable. The show held my attention through the end. It was an interesting twist in how the 2 characters were not talking directly to each other per se for well beyond the first half of the show but were using a chat feature. And then there was some sort of magic when they do meet in person, as well as an emotional roller coaster. The plot takes a wild twist in between which you might not realize until the end. I can’t quite spoil what that surprise twist is, so go see the show!

Poignant story needing direction

This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: The robotic nature of this script and direction sadly undercuts the emotional complexes of an important, usually unheard topic in queer and Asian communities. In three sentences: similar to the paired gentle guitar and monologue phone call opening this show, the cultures represented on stage remain hard to hear. A director emphasizing pace would help the Fringers bring out what felt like held back talent, giving me personal hope to see a show like this evolve into the statement it’s trying to say. I do recommend this to folks looking to hear a story more common than they know, as it’s one frequently cast to the shadows.