Navigating Grief with Nerven

I was captivated by the performance of "FLOAT," which depicted the journey of insolent Myra, expertly brought to life by the remarkable actor Juliana Frick. Frick's mastery of facial expressions and body language breathed authenticity into Myra's character, making her flaws vivid and at the same time, our compassion for her as an audience unquestionable. Frick had an uncanny ability to break the fourth wall and intertwine herself with the audience, creating an immersive experience that was both uproariously humorous and audaciously outlandish. I attended the Wednesday night performance and cannot imagine how incredible her energy will be with a full audience! A noteworthy aspect of the show was the ingenious use of the narrator as one of Myra's main props. This creative dynamic saw the narrator seamlessly transforming into various objects, such as a set of drawers in the kitchen, effortlessly weaving together the interactions between the characters. This synergy between Myra and the narrator added delightful amusement to the performance. Embedded within the narrative was the profound theme of grief, explored in a way that was at times relatable, and then mesmerizing when Frick used body movement to portray experiences without words. The portrayal of Myra's attempts to find joy, which are initially lighthearted but take a turn, resonated deeply with my own experience of grief. The show's culmination can only be described as outrageous, in the very best sense. As someone who has grappled with complex grief, I found the portrayal refreshingly accurate and validating. Finally, it must be said that witnessing a Deaf and chronically ill performer like Juliana Frick command the stage was exhilarating. Being personally hard of hearing and chronically ill, I was elated to see such representation and excellence on display. "Float" is an unforgettable highlight of the Minnesota 2023 Fringe festival.

Paper Shredder

Some very interesting ideas (shredder love!) and kudos to the talent to deliver with such gusto. Perhaps a little to heady/spiritual…?

Goes without saying ...

This was a stellar performance and script. I'm not sure I can add more to what has been written by others, but Juliana Frick should be playing to sold out audiences every performance (and it is only because of the pesky pandemic that she is not). While this is a show about grief, we laughed throughout, and to find out when it was over (spoiler alert and someone else already revealed this in their review) that she is deaf just makes this show even more amazing and Juliana incredible. If you only have one show left on your multipass, choose this one.

A Whirlwind!

A Must-See for sure!!! This is the kind of Fringe play I look forward to. We think, "Poor Myra" for a time; yet the lessons within are deep and leave us with so much food for thought. Juliana is simply amazing!

Laughing through the tears

Juliana Frick doesn't hold back with this funny, moving, fantastical one human show. Juliana pulls her audience in with universal themes around isolation, longing, and grief. The character of Myra is at once familiar, annoying, endearing, and tragic. She holds up a sometimes uncomfortable mirror to our own human vulnerabilities; our need to be loved, understood, held. She is a character in search of peace, connection, and joy but really the only thing that helps is chocolate (and maybe a quick dance party!) I hope you will enjoy this show and open your heart and mind to this experience.

Beautiful and Hilarious

Juliana is a tremendous performer. This show is beautiful, heartbreaking, and hilarious. She brings to life a person you've surely encountered and shows us how to laugh and empathize with emotions too big for words. Juliana is captivating and Julie's subtle, gentle narration and support create a seamless, lovely theatrical experience. FLOAT will surprise you. Don't miss it.

A must see show!

FLOAT was a captivating performance. Julianna’s facial expressions and body language added authenticity to Myra's character, evoking compassion from the audience. The portrayal of grief was both relatable and mesmerizing, and made me reflect on my own family. The play offered deep lessons within a funny, moving, and fantastical experience. The show's layers, physicality, and narration created a rich and poetic performance. FLOAT is a must see show!

You've met this lady before...

Juliana is an incredible character actor! Her ability to channel the complex core of "Myra" is a testament to her appreciation of the human condition, with all of its beauty and flaws. This show exercises masterful simplicity from set design to choreography. And yet, the text is so deep, asking important questions: is a ritual practice enough to fix a person's short-comings or what does 'fixing' a person entail? Does it require a community? And can it ever be too late? "Myra" puts on a woo-woo face, but Juliana removes her mask to reveal the vulnerable flesh underneath and it's absolutely captivating. Go "Float" and then gloat about it!

This show has stayed with me

This show has layers that snuck up on me, and at the end I realized I was taking in much more than I originally thought I was. Juliana Frick strikes a tricky balance; she gives a warm and physically virtuosic performance of a character who can be much less than warm, and much less than grounded. The choreography in this show is not incidental; it delivers essential meaning, and because Juliana Frick has both written and choreographed it, the combination of movement and language is rich, poetic, and, well … moving. The use of the narration in the piece has stayed with me for days. What happens when a person’s internal monologue is delivered by an unreliable narrator, and how does one go about remedying that? You will enjoy this show if you are a fan of physically precise theater or if absurdity and magical realism strike your fancy, and you will feel seen if you have ever struggled with connecting with a family member who doesn’t seem to connect with themselves.

Super Fringey

I was captivated during the whole show thanks to Juliana's performative expertise and well-crafted character. Her physicality is amazing! I think the highest compliment I can give is that this show is super Fringey. Go see it and support our touring artists!

Make a new friend - Myra

"FLOAT" is a well crafted show blending humor and angst to create a masterful production. Julianna utilizes physical and oral skills to entice the audience into a personal relationship with Myra. As the show progresses, Myra becomes a friend instead of a character in a play and with the unexpected twists the audience experiences a range of emotion. The skill level exhibited by Frick is hard to match. This show is at the top of my recommendation list. Attend and make a new friend with Myra.

A psycho-meta-marvel.

This review is from seeing show #3. In one sentence: through no-waste comedy and drama, even you couldn’t figure out how to float when life feels like an ever-lasting strain. In three sentences: psycho thriller and/or meta-theatre fans, this is required Fringe attendance. This two Fringer team dominates decision making and pace at an expert level, pouring your mind into the type of chamber the show title boasts. No matter how high or low the plot’s tide, get ready to try and float.

see this show before it’s gone!

juliana is an out of tower, so if you’re able, go see this show. there are laughs, and touching moments!

Jewish Mother Are Like Many Others!

Jewish mothers are like many others. The Jewish Myra reminded me of my Irish Catholic mother. How can someone be so connected and disconnected from their grief and religious faith at the same time? All I can say is that Juliana Frick finds the universal by presenting the personal story of one kooky and hopeful woman. Float on by to Augsburg to see the show during the MN Fringe Festival.

Truly Impressed

I was so impressed by this show. In most of the Fringe 'solo' shows I've seen, the actor plays themself, but Juliana Frick was a tour-de-force in her portrayal of Myra. The character has depth and I found myself feeling more compassion for my own mother after watching this. In addition to the acting, I loved the writing and sound design, and there's a lot of symbolism in the visual imagery that kept me reflecting days after the show. In the end, the theme that stayed with me was "liberation" - what it means to try to achieve it, and what it takes to actually get there.

That Chicken Deserved Better

Powerful show that calls out a range of emotions, good use of props. A show about grief, regrets and not connecting.

Kudos to FLOAT

See above reviews...all true. My additional 2 cents: 1. The combo of Narrator and Stage Crew works seamlessly. 2. Simplicity and complexity of the set is magic.