NPC! (Non-Player Character)

Never Miss The Motz!

Here's the thing about Jeffery Motz Fringe shows: they serve as a kind of almanac of personal storytelling and participation in the Minnesota Fringe. Once you begin seeing his shows every year, they take on a kind of "sign post" quality or mile marker aspect that you can't help but feel a part of, noting your own journey over time, your love of the Fringe, your experiences of hits and misses, your own triumphs, and your own failures. Not every moment of our life is a home run, but more often than not, it is our willingness to learn and grow from our missteps and misfortunes that help us develop and shine brightest in moments of success. That's why you gotta see every Motz show, every year. Because being there to witness and share with your fellow Fringe goers when the proverbial mighty Casey strikes out, makes it all the sweeter when the bat makes contact and the home runs fly into the August sky. Don't miss out on the man, the myth, the legend: The Motz!

Expected Something Else

My kids are gamers and at first I recommended this to them after seeing the preview, but then I unrecommended it after seeing the whole thing. It would make a better podcast. It drifts away from gaming right away to basically tell three life stories that weren't memorized. Intriguing stories, but not when I think what I paid to see it.

Solid Storytelling

Not as polished as last year's outing, but it is another deeply personal show that makes you reflect on your own experiences with fresh eyes. Definitely worth checking out.

Not What I Expected

I too thought that this show was going to be more about an actual NPC character. I loved the humor at the beginning and I was slightly disappointed when it mostly stopped and turned into a storytelling show (which don't get me wrong, I love a good storytelling show but that wasn't what I was set up to think the show was). But the stories were good and I really enjoyed Motz overall. It was a very heartfelt and vulnerable show. I didn't attend the previous show so I don't have the background knowledge of what happened with that, but it wasn't super necessary. So while it was different than I expected, I wasn't unhappy or disappointed with the experience.

Baring His Soul and Funny One Liners

I only know snippets about the troubles with his show last year, but I had no trouble following the "sequel" theme. I will forever now think of this as the village of Rarig, in Fringelandia. While he might have taken a fringe show in the knee, I took one in the heart with his naked storytelling. And shout-out for our worlds colliding with his reference to Andy's Jazz after I had my first visit ever this spring. I for one believe as long as the storytelling is amazing, nothing else in the show really matters. His honesty about his struggles was brave and beautiful.

Leveling Up

As a non-gamer, I am relieved that this show was not about gaming! It took me a second to catch the references at the top of the show as a result. But then, I was treated to a very engaging (which can be hard be pull off at 10pm on a weeknight) hour of some very relatable and entertaining coming-of-age stories about the writer/performer's life. He pulled the audience in to the point that folks were responding as though it were more of a conversation than a performance! It's a style of storytelling that felt warm and welcoming, and very much at home at the Fringe for a community of theater performers and theatergoers alike. It's always risky to go solo, and then totally bare bones solo. Motz successfully takes it all to the next level for a beautiful show.

Difficult start

I was doubtful at the beginning because of the constant repeating of the video game script. I had faith in Motz-rhymes-with-boats ability and was rewarded. We learned about roller coasters and d.j.ing weddings. This year more than in the past, I felt like Motz made himself so vulnerable to us. Wow.

Funny, frazzled storytime

This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: through a gamer and meta theatre doorway you’re welcomed into vibrant, pressed-for-time stories told by this Fringer. In three sentences: well played empathy and shock drive the fireside tales given by this Fringer, addressing how it’s almost impossible to follow up his 2022 hit Fringe show with this year’s. His bravery lands but the hurried nature of his story time deliveries made for what looked like a lack of internal confidence at times, taking me out of some expositions. To sign up for an unexpected hero’s journey, this is worth a watch!

Humor and vulnerability

Motz once again delivers a show that makes you laugh, think, and appreciate the power of one’s own stories.

Excellent Storytelling

I had not seen the previous show in this series, and it didn't matter. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I got my money's worth and then some. I had never seen Motz perform before, but I will be looking for him in the future. Funny, clever and vulnerable, this show is a gem.

Roller Coasters Rule!

Motz’ NPC greets us in a series of video-game hiccups before delving into three autobiographical stories chock full of humor, frustration, and personal growth. My favorite was his tale of working as a DJ for wedding receptions, as that’s how I paid the bills half a lifetime ago. Our narrator had some cheat sheets handy, but I suspect he could have gone without them. After he read his final scripted monologue, I found myself wanting to discover more about what went down for him at last year’s Fringe. Having this final puzzle piece would have made the NPC’s journey complete for me. Still, this was an energetic, sincere, and engaging hour, and I look forward to seeing what this talented actor and writer (also appearing in Tim Mooney’s Midsummer Night’s Dream) serves up next.

A vulnerable storytelling experience

There are moments throughout that feel unpolished (such as going back to the script). Give those moments grace. They all lead to a beautiful, heartfelt, vulnerable ending. You don't need to have seen Motz's show last year to get the full experience. All you need is to do is approach the world with empathy and compassion, something Motz models with equal parts humor and humanity.

Great framing and concept; compelling stories

Even as the most casual of gamers, I very much appreciated Motz's (rhymes with boatses) use of the non-player character trope. As someone who has felt like an occupant of the passenger seat in her own life from time to time, I found both the concept and the individual stories highly relatable. Maybe that's too much to share in a Fringe review, but there is something about this show that encourages a little extra openness and vulnerability. Thank you, Motz, for a lovely afternoon of storytelling.

The Heart of the Fringe

Anyone who knows Motz can tell you that he lives and bleeds Fringe. He's one of the most welcoming and warm-hearted people, which is why it's so wonderful that he shares his self and his vulnerability with us on stage. This is a show for anyone who feels like they are a side character in their own life. It's a show for anyone who needs encouragement to pick up the sword. It's a show for anyone who isn't sure how to view themselves as a main character. The structure could use some additional tying together so we as the audience understand the story's trajectory a little earlier on. But the heart and soul are there throughout. I'll always believe in Motz and I know he'll never stop believing in all of us.

Unexpectedly Charming

I went in not knowing about Motz' previous shows, but I'm glad I checked it out! I will say, this is not a full show about an NPC, if that's what you're expecting. However, I didn't mind that it broke off from the "NPC" persona at all, and found the personal anecdotes quite charming, and Motz is a great storyteller. However, I feel the show could have benefitted from a bit more preparation. I didn't mind a ton, as he had a nice way of making tongue-in-cheek jokes about having script in-hand, and just went with it. I felt he had a lot of respect and care for his audience, and appreciated the environment he cultivated throughout. He was joking with us, and the pre-show was a really nice touch.

Don’t miss the Boatz on Motz!

I went into this show expecting a fun story about the side characters in video games & RPGs. A look into the world of the people whose entire existence is a plot device. However, what I saw was a deeply vulnerable and personal story about overcoming fear, dealing with horrible bosses, and appreciating the power & talents of “ordinary” people. I cannot applaud Motz enough for this show. It is so delightfully, refreshingly original and fun. This is storytelling at its finest!

Side quests became personal stories

Having not seen Paper Soul's previous show, there was some context that I missed out on. However, I feel like I could fill in the gaps for the most part. Funny intro with playing the standard NPC character and breaking the fourth wall. I got a little confused as it broke into personal anecdotes and how those related to the NPC story, but was brought a bit more on track with it at the end. I like the idea behind the message, but wish that the presentation of it was more cohesive/planned. I would love to give credit to perseverance to make art in the face of many different road blocks - including yourself. And along with that, having the self awareness and vulnerability to share it. Overall, the audience was packed and seemed to relate well to the stories of adventure being told to them.

A Must-See Fringe Show!

It’s hard to deny Motz’s humor and charm. The show starts with him already on stage, simply standing, and you immediately enjoy his presence. As soon as he portrays the titular “NPC” there are screams of laughter in the audience. It continues rolling through as we enjoy what is being built; a delightful premise that holds up with the added strength of the writer/performer. As the story moves on—and we move on from this NPC—we see Motz. A wonderful human with stories that ask us to reflect upon our own individuality. Is this a deep review? Well, this is a deep show that made me think about myself, the delicacy of my individual human experience, and the beauty in the artists around me. That alone makes this a must-see fringe show. I had the pleasure of enjoying Motz’s show from last year, but this performance doesn’t require viewing the prequel. This show was a full experience, from start to finish, full of warmth and laughter. I will always enjoy Motz and his storytelling!

Uffda

While I applaud Motz’s vulnerability and perseverance to put this show on stage, this show suffered greatly from lack of preparedness and theatricality. If you didn’t have the privilege of seeing his previous Fringe show, like myself, I can’t say that I recommend seeing this show due to feeling like we are missing out on context.

I choose "level up"

This is an awesome choose-your-own adventure that thankfully gets chosen for us. Motz generates the hilarious concept of a “non-player character” … one condemned to eternally replay the briefest snippets of non-action-action and applies that metaphor to his own life in stories that are emotional, inspiring and ring with the truth of experience. Through his eyes we all see our own choices to “level up” or not.

Lottsa Motza!

I like Motz's work but am not a gamer, so I was on the fence about seeing this, but am glad I did. His storytelling is compelling, and I was engaged throughout. Coming from a senior citizen who had seen 2 other shows that day, plus performing in one, that is saying a lot! Way to go!

I took a fringe show to the knee!

Hilarious storytelling and smooth acting, NPC is an excellent follow up to Paper Souls previous show. You will fall in love with this talented man!